English playwright & novelist (1640-1689)
A poet is a painter in his way, he draws to the life, but in another kind; we draw the nobler part, the soul and the mind; the pictures of the pen shall outlast those of the pencil, and even worlds themselves.
APHRA BEHN
Oroonoko
Punishments hereafter are suffer'd by one's self; and the world takes no cognizance whether this God has reveng'd 'em or not, 'tis done so secretly, and deferr'd so long.
APHRA BEHN
Oroonoko
Love's a thin Diet, nor will keep out Cold.
APHRA BEHN
The Lucky Chance
This fellow has a glimpse of profundity.
APHRA BEHN
The Emperor of the Moon
You may make love in dancing as well as sitting.
APHRA BEHN
The Emperor of the Moon
Oh what a dear ravishing thing is the beginning of an Amour!
APHRA BEHN
The Emperor of the Moon
A man of wit could not be a knave or villain.
APHRA BEHN
Oroonoko
Nothing is more capable of troubling our reason, and consuming our health, than secret notions of jealousy in solitude.
APHRA BEHN
The History of Agnes de Castro
Where there is no novelty, there can be no curiosity.
APHRA BEHN
Oroonoko
No friend to Love like a long voyage at sea.
APHRA BEHN
The Rover
'Tis most evident and plain that simple Nature is the most harmless, inoffensive, and virtuous mistress.
APHRA BEHN
Oroonoko
What is't to be adorn'd and shine with Gold,
Drest like a God, but never know the Pleasure?
APHRA BEHN
The Rover
And all my kisses on thy balmy lips as sweet,
As are the breezes breath'd amidst the groves
Of ripening spices on the height of day:
As vigorous too.
APHRA BEHN
Abdelazar
But time lessens all extremes and reduces them to mediums & unconcern.
APHRA BEHN
Oroonoko
I would not make the world wise at the expense of a virtue.
APHRA BEHN
The Emperor of the Moon
'Twas but a dream, yet by my heart I knew,
Which still was panting, part of it was true.
APHRA BEHN
Complete Works of Aphra Behn
He that knew all that ever Learning writ,
Knew only this -- that he knew nothing yet.
APHRA BEHN
The Emperor of the Moon