Honor is a public enemy, and conscience a domestic, and he that would secure his pleasure, must pay a tribute to one and go halves with t'other.

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

A wit should no more be sincere, than a woman constant; one argues a decay of parts, as to other of beauty.

He who closes his ears to the views of others shows little confidence in the integrity of his own views.

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."

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

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.