“His wit invites you by his looks to come,
But when you knock it never is at home.”

— William Cowper

Source: Conversation (1782), Line 303.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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William Cowper 174

(1731–1800) English poet and hymnodist 1731–1800

Related quotes

“You beat your pate, and fancy wit will come;
Knock as you please, there's nobody at home.”

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On a Dull Writer, reported in John Hawkesworth, The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin (1754), p. 265. Alternately attributed to Alexander Pope by Bartlett's Quotations, 10th Edition (1919). Compare: "His wit invites you by his looks to come, But when you knock, it never is at home", William Cowper, Conversation, line 303
Disputed

“You beat your pate, and fancy wit will come;
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Credited as Epigram: An Empty House (1727), or On a Dull Writer; alternately attributed to Jonathan Swift in John Hawkesworth, The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin (1754), p. 265. Compare: "His wit invites you by his looks to come, But when you knock, it never is at home", William Cowper, Conversation, line 303.
Misattributed

“Anacharsis coming to Athens, knocked at Solon's door, and told him that he, being a stranger, was come to be his guest, and contract a friendship with him; and Solon replying, "It is better to make friends at home," Anacharsis replied, "Then you that are at home make friendship with me."”

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http://www.salon.com/news/2004/10/13/o_reilly
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Disputed