Colley Cibber Quotes & Sayings

Who fears t' offend takes the first step to please. — Colley Cibber

The aspiring youth that fired the Ephesian domeOutlives in fame the pious fool that rais'd it. — Colley Cibber

When we are conscious of the least comparative merit in ourselves, we should take as much care to conceal the value we set upon it, as if it were a real defect; to be elated or vain upon it is showing your money before people in want. — Colley Cibber

Oh, say! what is that thing call'd light, Which I must ne'er enjoy? What are the blessings of the sight? Oh, tell your poor blind boy! — Colley Cibber

I've lately had two spiders Crawling upon my startled hopes
Now though thy friendly hand has brushed 'em from me, Yet still they crawl offensive to mine eyes: I would have some kind friend to tread upon 'em. — Colley Cibber

Possession is eleven points in the law. — Colley Cibber

Thou strange piece of wild nature! — Colley Cibber

We shall find no fiend in hell can match the fury of a disappointed woman; scorned, slighted, dismissed without a parting pang. — Colley Cibber

Stolen sweets are best. — Colley Cibber

Oh! How many torments lie in the small circle of a wedding-ring! — Colley Cibber

It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts. After death they take on a firmer outline and then cease to change. — Colley Cibber

Faint is the bliss, that never past thro' pain. — Colley Cibber

Old houses mended, Cost little less than new before they're ended. — Colley Cibber

Tea! thou soft, sober, sage and venerable liquid;- thou female tongue-running, smile-smoothing, heart-opening, wink-tippling cordial, to whose glorious insipidity I owe the happiest moment of my life, let me fall prostrate. — Colley Cibber

So mourn'd the dame of Ephesus her love. — Colley Cibber

The happy have whole days, and those they choose. The unhappy have but hours, and those they lose. — Colley Cibber

The happy have whole days, — Colley Cibber

Banish that fear; my flame can never waste,
For love sincere refines upon the taste. — Colley Cibber

Losers must have leave to speak. — Colley Cibber

Tea! Thou soft, thou sober,
sage and venerable liquid ...
to whose glorious insipidity,
I owe the happiest moments of my life,
let me fall prostrate. — Colley Cibber

A weak invention of the Enemy. — Colley Cibber

You know, one had as good be out of the world, as out of the fashion. — Colley Cibber

Prithee don't screw your wit beyond the compass of good manners. — Colley Cibber

Then let not what I cannot have
My cheer of mind destroy.
Whilst thus I sing, I am a king,
Although a poor blind boy! — Colley Cibber

The wretch that fears to drown, will break through flames;
Or, in his dread of flames, will plunge in waves.
When eagles are in view, the screaming doves
Will cower beneath the feet of man for safety. — Colley Cibber

Words are but empty thanks. — Colley Cibber

Ah! good Sir! no Whores before Dinner, I beseech you.
[Love's Last Shift] — Colley Cibber

What have I done? What horrid crime committed?
To me the worst of crimes-outliv'd my liking. — Colley Cibber