Quotes from the Works of John Lyly
divider

In misery it is great comfort to have a companion.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

Far more seemly to have thy study full of books,
than thy purse full of money.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

Many strokes overthrow the tallest oak.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

The sun shineth upon the dunghill, and is not corrupted.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

Love knoweth no laws.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

Fish and Guests in three days are stale.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

As the best wine doth make the sharpest vinegar, so the deepest
love turneth to the deadliest hate.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

Delays breed dangers; nothing so perilous as procrastination.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

[Beauty is] a delicate bait with a deadly hook;
a sweet panther with a devouring paunch, a sour poison
in a silver pot.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

Assure yourself that Damon to his Pythias, Pylades
to his Orestes, Titus to his Gysippus, Theseus to
his Pyrothus, Scipio to his Laelius, was never found
more faithful than Euphues will be to his Philautus.
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1579)

Marriages are made in heaven though consummated on Earth.
Euphues and his England (1580)

Instruments sound sweetest when they be touched softest,
women wax wisest, when they be used mildest.
Euphues and his England (1580)

Hither came all such as either ventured by long travel
to see countries or by great traffic to use merchandise,
offering sacrifice by fire to get safety by water, yielding
thanks for perils past, and making prayers for good success
to come.
Gallathea (1583-85)

Water runneth smoothest where it is deepest.
Sappho and Phao (1584)

Martin tunes his pipe to the lamentable note of Ora whine meg.
O tis his best daunce next shaking of the sheetes; but he good
man meant no harm by it.
Pappe with a Hatchet (1589)

Time draweth wrinkles in a fair face,
but addeth fresh colours to a fast friend,
which neither heat, nor cold, nor misery,
nor place, nor destiny, can alter or diminish.
Endymion, the Man in the Moon (1591)

I thank you for nothing, because I understand nothing.
Mother Bombie (1594)




Backto John Lyly

Copyright ©1996-2007 Anniina Jokinen. All Rights Reserved.
Created by Anniina Jokinen on September 14, 1996. Last updated on January 20, 2007.