Thomas Otway Quotes & Sayings

The worst thing an old man can be is a lover. — Thomas Otway

Clocks will go as they are set, but man, irregular man, is never constant, never certain. — Thomas Otway

Ere man's corruptions made him wretched, he Was born most noble that was born most free; Each of himself was lord; and unconfin'd Obey'd the dictates of his godlike mind. — Thomas Otway

Who can describe
Women's hypocrisies! their subtle wiles,
Betraying smiles, feign'd tears, inconstancies!
Their painted outsides, and corrupted minds,
The sum of all their follies, and their falsehoods. — Thomas Otway

Avoid the politic, the factious fool,
The busy, buzzing, talking harden'd knave;
The quaint smooth rogue that sins against his reason,
Calls saucy loud sedition public zeal,
And mutiny the dictates of his spirit. — Thomas Otway

Ambition is a lust that is never quenched, but grows more inflamed and madder by enjoyment. — Thomas Otway

Children blessings seem, but torments are. — Thomas Otway

Honesty needs no disguise nor ornament; be plain. — Thomas Otway

Shining through tears, like April suns in showers, that labour to overcome the cloud that loads 'em. — Thomas Otway

Justice is lame as well as blind, amongst us. — Thomas Otway

Greatness, thou gaudy torment of out souls,
The wise man's fetter, and the rage of fools. — Thomas Otway

The poor sleep little. — Thomas Otway

Oh woman! lovely woman! nature made thee To temper man; we had been brutes without you; Angels are painted fair to look like you; There's in you all that we believe of heaven, Amazing brightness, purity, and truth, Eternal joy, and everlasting love. — Thomas Otway

What mighty ills have not been done by woman!
Who was't betray'd the Capitol? A woman;
Who lost Mark Antony the world? A woman;
Who was the cause of a long ten years' war,
And laid at last old Troy is ashes? Woman;
Destructive, damnable, deceitful woman! — Thomas Otway

Honest men are the soft easy cushions on which knaves repose and fatten. — Thomas Otway

Could my griefs speak, the tale would have no end. — Thomas Otway

And die with decency. — Thomas Otway

No flattery, boy! an honest man cannot live by it; it is a little, sneaking art, which knaves use to cajole and soften fools withal. — Thomas Otway

And for an apple damn'd mankind. — Thomas Otway

Let us embrace, and from this very moment vow an eternal misery together. — Thomas Otway

If love be treasure, we'll be wondrous rich. — Thomas Otway

How many men
Have spent their blood in their dear country's service,
Yet now pine under want; while selfish slaves,
That even would cut their throats whom now they fawn on,
Like deadly locusts, eat the honey up,
Which those industrious bees so hardly toil'd for. — Thomas Otway

Love reigns a very tyrant in my heart. — Thomas Otway

I may boldly speak In right, though proud oppression will not hear me! — Thomas Otway

You wags that judge by rote, and damn by rule. — Thomas Otway

Who's a prince or beggar in the grave? — Thomas Otway

Dame Fortune, like most others of the female sex, is generally most indulgent to the nimble-mettled blockheads. — Thomas Otway

Base natures ever judge a thing above them, and hate a power they are too much obliged to. — Thomas Otway

Revenge, the attribute of gods! They stamped it with their great image on our natures. — Thomas Otway

Honesty was a cheat invented first To bind the hands of bold deserving rogues, That fools and cowards might sit safe in power, And lord it uncontroll'd above their betters. — Thomas Otway

O woman! lovely woman! Nature made thee
To temper man: we had been brutes without you. — Thomas Otway

There is such sweet pain in parting that I could hang forever on thine arms, and look away my life into thine eyes. — Thomas Otway

Cowards are scared with threatenings; boys are whipped into confession; but a steady mind acts of itself, ne'er asks the body counsel. — Thomas Otway

Home I would go But that my doors are hateful to my eyes, Fill'd and damm'd up with gaping creditors, Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring. — Thomas Otway

If we must part forever,
Give me but one kind word to think upon
and please myself with, while my heart's breaking. — Thomas Otway

False as the adulterate promises of favorites in power when poor men court them. — Thomas Otway