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Aphra Behn
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“... I think a Play the best divertisement that wise men have: but I do also think them nothing so who do discourse so formallie about the rules of it, as if 'twere the grand affair of humane life.”
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“... affectation hath always had a greater share both in the action and discourse of men than truth and judgment have ...”
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“He'll sooner lend thee his wife than his Money.”
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“'Banter? what's that, man?' 'Why Sir, talking very much, and meaning just nothing; be full of words without any connexion, sence, or conclusion.'”
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“[Epilogue:] As for you half wits, you unthinking tribe, / We'll let you see, what e'er besides we do, / How artfully we copy some of you: / And if you're drawn to the life, pray tell me then, / Why women should not write as well as men.”
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“Patience is a flatterer, sir — and an ass, sir.”
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“... he that will live in this World, must be endu'd with the three rare Qualities of Dissimulation, Equivocation, and mental Reservation.”
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“Come away; poverty's catching.”
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“One hour of right-down love / Is worth an age of dully living on.”
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“There is no sinner like a young saint.”
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“... Money speaks sense in a Language all Nations understand.”
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“Kings that made laws, first broke 'em ...”
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“Love ceases to be a pleasure, when it ceases to be a secret.”
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“Dear me no Dears, Sir ...”
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“... Jealousy, the old Worm that bites ...”
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“Love's a thin Diet, nor will keep out Cold.”
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“... faith, Sir, we are here to Day, and gone to Morrow ...”
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“He that knew all that ever Learning writ, / Knew only this — that he knew nothing yet.”
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“Oh, what a dear ravishing thing is the beginning of an Amour!”
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“... time lessens all extremes and reduces 'em to mediums and unconcern ... ”
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“God makes all things good; Man meddles with 'em and they become evil.”
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“... that perfect tranquility of life, which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a faithful friend, a good library ...”
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“... the Gods / by teaching us religion first, first set the World at Odds.”
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“Oh Love! that stronger art than wine, / Pleasing delusion, witchery divine, / Wont to be priz'd above all wealth, / Disease that has more joys than health; / Tho' we blaspheme thee in our pain, / And of thy tyranny complain, / We all are better'd by thy reign.”
Aphra Behn, English playwright, poet, novelist
(1640 - 1689)
Full name: Aphra Johnson Behn.