Whence had you this illustrious name?
From virtue and unblemish’d fame.
By birth the name alone descends;
Your honour on yourself depends:
Think not your coronet can hide
Assuming ignorance and pride.
Learning by study must be won,
‘Twas ne’er entail’d from son to son.John Gay (1685-1732) English poet and playwright
“The Pack-Horse and Carrier (To a young Nobleman),” ll. 41-42
(Source)
Some printings of the poem leave off the prologue, of which this is a part.
Quotations by:
Gay, John
An open foe may prove a curse,
But a pretended friend is worse.John Gay (1685-1732) English poet and playwright
“The Shepherd’s Dog and the Wolf,” pt. 1, l. 33-4 (1727)
Those who in quarrels interpose
Must often wipe a bloody nose.John Gay (1685-1732) English poet and playwright
Fables, “The Mastiffs,” pt. 1, l. 1-2 (1727)
On the choice of friends
Our good or evil name depends.John Gay (1685-1732) English poet and playwright
Fables, 1.23 (1727-38)