William Congreve Quotes

Careless she is with artful care,
Affecting to seem unaffected.

Heav'n hath no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn'd,
Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd.

Though marriage makes man and wife one flesh, it leaves 'em still two fools.

Well, I shall understand your lingo one of these days, cousin.

I came up stairs into the world, for I was born in a cellar.

'Tis well enough for a servant to be bred at an University. But the education is a little too pedantic for a gentleman.

All well bred persons lie – Besides, you are a woman; you must never speak what you think…

Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast/To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak

O, she is the antidote to desire.

I warrant you, if he danced till doomsday, he thought I was to pay the piper.

Let us be very strange and well-bred:
Let us be as strange as if we had been married a great while;
And as well-bred as if we were not married at all.

Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

No mask like open truth to cover lies,
As to go naked is the best disguise.

O, nothing is more alluring than a levee from a couch in some confusion: it shows the foot to advantage, and furnishes with blushes, and recomposing airs beyond comparison. — Lady Wishfort

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
'Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv'd the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg'd
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?