William Congreve

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

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

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

“A hungry wolf at all the herd will run, In hopes, through many, to make sure of one.”

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

“I confess freely to you, I could never look long upon a monkey, without very mortifying reflections.”

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

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

“There is in true beauty, as in courage, something which narrow souls cannot dare to admire.”

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