Aphra Behn Quotes | Quotes by Aphra Behn

1I 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.

2Money speaks sense in a language all nations understand.

3Patience is a flatterer, sir, and an ass, sir.

4You may make love in dancing as well as sitting.

5Women in London are like the rich silks; they are out of fashion a great while before they wear out.

6All I ask, is the privilege for my masculine part the poet in me.... If I must not, because of my sex, have this freedom... I lay down my quill and you shall hear no more of me.

7... he that will live in this World, must be endu'd with the three rare Qualities of Dissimulation, Equivocation, and mental Reservation.

8God makes all things good; Man meddles with 'em and they become evil.

9As love is the most noble and divine passion of the soul, so is it that to which we may justly attribute all the real satisfactions of life, and without it, man is unfinished, and unhappy.

10Where there is no novelty, there can be no curiosity.

Aphra Behn Quotes

11'Twas but a dream, yet by my heart I knew, Which still was panting, part of it was true: Oh how I strove the rest to have believed; Ashamed and angry to be undeceived!

12Oh, what a dear ravishing thing is the beginning of an Amour!

13A poet is a painter in his way, he draws to the life, but in another kind; we draw the nobler part, the soul and the mind; the pictures of the pen shall outlast those of the pencil, and even worlds themselves.

14Fantastic fortune thou deceitful light, That cheats the weary traveler by night, Though on a precipice each step you tread, I am resolved to follow where you lead.

15Kings that made laws, first broke 'em.

16One hour of right-down love is worth an age of dully living on.

17Sure, I rose the wrong way today, I have had such damn'd ill luck every way.

18Come away; poverty's catching.

19Of all that writ, he was the wisest bard, who spoke this mighty truth- He that knew all that ever learning writ, Knew only this-that he knew nothing yet.

20Faith, Sir, we are here today and gone tomorrow.

Aphra Behn Quotes

21Variety is the soul of pleasure.

22Love, like reputation, once fled, never returns more.

23I value fame as much as if I had been born a Hero.

24Nothing is more capable of troubling our reason, and consuming our health, than secret notions of jealousy in solitude.

25That perfect tranquillity of life, which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a faithful friend and a good library.

26Love ceases to be a pleasure, when it ceases to be a secret.

27Jealousy, the old worm that bites.

28Love's a thin Diet, nor will keep out Cold.

29There is no sinner like a young saint.

30Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be Defence enough against Mortality

Aphra Behn Quotes

31Affectation hath always had a greater share both in the action and discourse of men than truth and judgment have.

32A brave world, sir, full of religion, knavery, and change: we shall shortly see better days.

33Each moment of a happy lover's hour is worth an age of dull and common life.

34No friend to Love like a long voyage at sea.

35Who is't that to woman's beauty would submit, And yet refuse the fetters of their wit?

36Tis Love alone can make our Fetters please.

37Time lessens all extremes and reduces 'em to mediums and unconcern.