William Wycherley

Poets, like friends to whom you are in debt, you hate.

Come, for my part I will have only those glorious, manly pleasures of being very drunk, and very slovenly.

Your women of honor, as you call em, are only chary of their reputations, not their persons; and 'Tis scandal that they would avoid, not men.

A mistress should be like a little country retreat near the town, not to dwell in constantly, but only for a night and away.

Women of quality are so civil, you can hardly distinguish love from good breeding.

Marrying to increase love is like gaming to become rich; alas, you only lose what little stock you had before.

Women serve but to keep a man from better company.

Mistresses are like books; if you pore upon them too much, they doze you and make you unfit for company; but if used discreetly, you are the fitter for conversation by em.

He's a fool that marries, but he's a greater that does not marry a fool; what is wit in a wife good for, but to make a man a cuckold?

Wit is more necessary than beauty; and I think no young woman ugly that has it, and no handsome woman agreeable without it.

Go to your business, pleasure, whilst I go to my pleasure, business.

Next to the pleasure of finding a new mistress is that of being rid of an old one.