William Congreve Professions : Playwright Born : January 24, 1670 Died : January 19, 1729 Browse All Authors Top 96 quotes by William Congreve Say what you will, 'tis better to be left than never to have been loved. William Congreve has-beens love life He who closes his ears to the views of others shows little confidence in the integrity of his own views. William Congreve confidence views integrity No mask like open truth to cover lies, As to go naked is the best disguise. William Congreve deceit honesty lying Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear. William Congreve fear inspirational war Women are like tricks by sleight of hand, Which, to admire, we should not understand William Congreve admiration understanding hands Nothing but you can lay hold of my mind, and that can lay hold of nothing but you. William Congreve of-my-mind lays mind There is in true Beauty, as in Courage, somewhat which narrow Souls cannot dare to admire. William Congreve courage beauty inspirational Music has charms to sooth a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. William Congreve rocks music inspirational Love's but the frailty of the mind, When 'tis not with ambition joined; A sickly flame, which if not fed expires; And feeding, wastes in self-consuming fires. William Congreve ambition self fire There are times when sense may be unseasonable, as well as truth. William Congreve timeliness wells may Women like flames have a destroying power; never to be quenched till they themselves devour. William Congreve destroying women flames I find we are growing serious, and then we are in great danger of being dull. William Congreve stupid-people growing stupidity Delay not till tomorrow to be wise; tomorrow's sun to thee may neve rise. William Congreve delay procrastination wise But say what you will, 'tis better to be left than never to have been loved. To pass our youth in dull indifference, to refuse the sweets of life because they once must leave us, is as preposterous as to wish to have been born old, because we one day must be old. William Congreve one-day wish sweet Thus grief still treads upon the heels of pleasure; Married in haste, we may repent at leisure. William Congreve marriage high-heels grief Invention flags, his brain goes muddy, William Congreve despair black brain Music alone with sudden charms can bind The wand'ring sense, and calm the troubled mind. William Congreve calm charm mind Music has charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. I've read that things inanimate have moved, and, as with living souls, have been inform'd, by magic numbers and persuasive sound. William Congreve rocks music numbers Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd. William Congreve hell-hath-no-fury mourning chocolate Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing. William Congreve risk expectations joy Similar Authors Alan Ayckbourn playwright Bonnie Greer playwright Annie Baker playwright August Wilson playwright August Strindberg playwright Athol Fugard playwright All Authors
