William Congreve was an English poet and playwright of the Restoration period. He is best known for his comedies of manners such as The Way of the World and The Mourning Bride. Congreve was an important literary figure of the late 17th and early 18th centuries and is considered one of the last great authors of the Restoration Age.

What is the most famous quote by William Congreve ?

Music has charms to sooth a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

— William Congreve

What can you learn from William Congreve (Life Lessons)

  1. William Congreve's works emphasize the importance of living life to the fullest and cherishing the moments we have with those we love.
  2. He also encourages us to never give up on our dreams and to strive for greatness in all we do.
  3. Lastly, Congreve's works remind us to be kind and compassionate to others and to always be grateful for the blessings in our lives.

The most proven William Congreve quotes that are glad to read

Following is a list of the best William Congreve quotes, including various William Congreve inspirational quotes, and other famous sayings by William Congreve.

Women are like tricks by sleight of hand, Which, to admire, we should not understand

William Congreve
51

'Tis well enough for a servant to be bred at an University.

But the education is a little too pedantic for a gentleman.

William Congreve
20

Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd.

William Congreve
15

Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life.

William Congreve
13

Who is William Congreve?

William Congreve is a English Poet
Nationality English
Profession Poet
Born October 16
Quotes 80 sayings

Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.

William Congreve
12

I find we are growing serious, and then we are in great danger of being dull.

William Congreve
12

She once used me with that insolence, that in revenge I took her to pieces;

sifted her, and separated her failings; I studied 'em, and got 'em by rote. The catalogue was so large, that I was not without hopes, one day or other to hate her heartily.

William Congreve
11

In my conscience I believe the baggage loves me, for she never speaks well of me herself, nor suffers any body else to rail at me.

William Congreve
11

Romantic quotes by William Congreve

Thou art a retailer of phrases, and dost deal in remnants of remnants.

William Congreve
11

Nothing but you can lay hold of my mind, and that can lay hold of nothing but you.

William Congreve
10

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
9

Turn pimp, flatterer, quack, lawyer, parson, be chaplain to an atheist, or stallion to an old woman, anything but a poet; for a poet is worse, more servile, timorous and fawning than any I have named.

William Congreve
9

Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing.

William Congreve
9

A wit should no more be sincere, than a woman constant;

one argues a decay of parts, as to other of beauty.

William Congreve
8

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
8

If there's delight in love, 'Tis when I see that heart, which others bleed for, bleed for me.

William Congreve
8

Quotations by William Congreve that are satirical and refined

Thus in this sad, but oh, too pleasing state! my soul can fix upon nothing but thee; thee it contemplates, admires, adores, nay depends on, trusts on you alone.

William Congreve
5

Delay not till tomorrow to be wise; tomorrow's sun to thee may neve rise.

William Congreve
5

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

William Congreve
5

Courtship to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play.

William Congreve
4

Blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, and though a late, a sure reward succeeds.

William Congreve
4

I know that's a secret, for it's whispered everywhere.

William Congreve
4

They are at the end of the gallery; retired to their tea and scandal, according to their ancient custom.

William Congreve
4

A little scorn is alluring.

William Congreve
3

They come together like the Coroner's Inquest, to sit upon the murdered reputations of the week.

William Congreve
2

Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.N.B.: This quote is commonly misquoted as savage beast.

William Congreve
2

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

William Congreve
2

Grief walks upon the heels of pleasure; married in haste, we repent at leisure.

William Congreve
1

She likes herself, yet others hates, For that which in herself she prizes; And while she laughs at them, forgets She is the thing that she despises.

William Congreve
1

Men are apt to offend ('tis true) where they find most goodness to forgive.

William Congreve
1

Mr Witwould: "Pray, madam, do you pin up your hair with all your letters? I find I must keep copies." Mrs Millamant: "Only with those in verse.... I never pin up my hair with prose."

William Congreve
1

There is nothing more unbecoming a man of quality than to laugh ... 'tis such a vulgar expression of the passion!

William Congreve
0

Marriage indeed may qualify the fury of his passion, but it very rarely mends a man's manners.

William Congreve
0

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

William Congreve
0

I hope you do not think me prone to any iteration of nuptials.

William Congreve
0

There are times when sense may be unseasonable, as well as truth.

William Congreve
0

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

William Congreve
0

It is the business of a comic poet to paint the vices and follies of human kind.

William Congreve
0

He that first cries out stop thief, is often he that has stolen the treasure.

William Congreve
0

I nauseate walking; 'tis a country diversion, I loathe the country.

William Congreve
0

Defer not till to-morrow to be wise, To-morrow's Sun to thee may never rise; Or should to-morrow chance to cheer thy sight With her enlivening and unlook'd for light, How grateful will appear her dawning rays! As favours unexpected doubly please.

William Congreve
0

You are a woman: you must never speak what you think; your words must contradict your thoughts, but your actions may contradict your words.

William Congreve
0

Guilt is ever at a loss, and confusion waits upon it; when innocence and bold truth are always ready for expression.

William Congreve
0

I know that's a secret, for it's whispered every where.

William Congreve
0

Marriage is honourable, as you say; and if so, wherefore should Cuckoldom be a Discredit, being deriv'd from so honourable a Root?

William Congreve
0

I am always of the opinion with the learned, if they speak first.

William Congreve
0

Say what you will, 'tis better to be left than never to have been loved.

William Congreve
0

A woman only obliges a man to secrecy, that she may have the pleasure of telling herself.

William Congreve
0

Invention flags, his brain goes muddy, and black despair succeeds brown study.

William Congreve
0