“I cannot talk with civet in the room,
A fine puss-gentleman that's all perfume.”
Source: Conversation (1782), Line 283.
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William Cowper 174
(1731–1800) English poet and hymnodist 1731–1800Related quotes

“Happiness is a perfume which you cannot pour on someone without getting some on yourself.”
Variant: Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting some on yourself.
Variant: Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

Variant: But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days.
Source: Persuasion

“I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies.”

This Business of Living (1935-1950)

Oration in Defense of Flaccus. See Apostle Paul: A Polite Bribe https://books.google.com.br/books?id=wefkDwAAQBAJ&pg=108 by Robert Orlando, p. 108.

“In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.”
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock (1915)

Washington's formal acceptance of command of the Army (16 June 1775), quoted in The Writings of George Washington : Life of Washington (1837) edited by Jared Sparks, p. 141
1770s