The Oxford dictionary of modern quotations (18 page)

get run down.

In Observer 6 Dec. 1953

The language of priorities is the religion of Socialism.

Speech at Labour Party Conference in Blackpool, 8 June 1949, in Report of

48th Annual Conference (1949) p. 172

No amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can

eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party that

inflicted those bitter experiences on me. So far as I am concerned they

are lower than vermin. They condemned millions of first-class people to

semi-starvation.

Speech at Manchester, 4 July 1948, in The Times 5 July 1948

I read the newspapers avidly. It is my one form of continuous fiction.

The Times 29 Mar. 1960

2.75 William Henry Beveridge (First Baron Beveridge) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1879-1963

Ignorance is an evil weed, which dictators may cultivate among their

dupes, but which no democracy can afford among its citizens.

Full Employment in a Free Society (1944) pt. 7

The object of government in peace and in war is not the glory of rulers or

of races, but the happiness of the common man.

Social Insurance and Allied Services (1942) pt. 7

The state is or can be master of money, but in a free society it is master

of very little else.

Voluntary Action (1948) ch. 12

2.76 Ernest Bevin =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1881-1951

If you open that Pandora's Box [the Council of Europe], you never know

what Trojan 'orses will jump out.

Sir Roderick Barclay Ernest Bevin and Foreign Office (1975) ch. 3

A Ministerial colleague with whom Ernie [Bevin] was almost always on bad

terms was Nye Bevan. There was a well-known occasion when the latter had

incurred Ernie's displeasure, and one of those present, seeking to excuse

Nye, observed that he was sometimes his own worst enemy. "Not while I'm

alive 'e aint!" retorted Ernie.

In Sir Roderick Barclay Ernest Bevin and Foreign Office (1975) ch. 4

There never has been a war yet which, if the facts had been put calmly

before the ordinary folk, could not have been prevented....The common man,

I think, is the great protection against war.

Hansard 23 Nov. 1945, col. 786

The most conservative man in this world is the British Trade Unionist when

you want to change him.

Speech, 8 Sept. 1927, in Report of Proceedings of the Trades Union

Congress (1927) p. 298

I didn't ought never to have done it. It was you, Willie, what put me up

to it.

To Lord Strang, after officially recognizing Communist China, in C.

Parrott Serpent and Nightingale (1977) ch. 3

My policy is to be able to take a ticket at Victoria Station and go

anywhere I damn well please.

In Spectator 20 Apr. 1951, p. 514

2.77 Georges Bidault =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1899-1983

The weak have one weapon: the errors of those who think they are strong.

In Observer 15 July 1962

2.78 Ambrose Bierce =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1842-?1914

Acquaintance, n. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but

not well enough to lend to. A degree of friendship called slight when its

object is poor or obscure, and intimate when he is rich or famous.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 12

Admiration, n. Our polite recognition of another's resemblance to

ourselves.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 13

Advice, n. The smallest current coin.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 14

Alliance, n. In international politics, the union of two thieves who have

their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pocket that they cannot

separately plunder a third.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 16

Ambition, n. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while

living and made ridiculous by friends when dead.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 17

Applause, n. The echo of a platitude.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 19

Auctioneer, n. The man who proclaims with a hammer that he has picked a

pocket with his tongue.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 24

Battle, n. A method of untying with the teeth a political knot that would

not yield to the tongue.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 30

Bore, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 37

Brain, n. An apparatus with which we think that we think.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 39

Calamity, n....Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves, and

good fortune to others.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 41

Conservative, n. A statesman who is enamoured of existing evils, as

distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 56

Cynic, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as

they ought to be.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 63

Education, n. That which discloses to the wise and disguises from the

foolish their lack of understanding.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 86

Egotist, n. A person of low taste, more interested in himself than in me.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 86

Future, n. That period of time in which our affairs prosper, our friends

are true, and our happiness is assured.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 129

History, n. An account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which

are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools.

Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 161

Marriage, n. The state or condition of a community consisting of a

master, a mistress and two slaves, making in all, two.

Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 213

Noise, n. A stench in the ear....The chief product and authenticating sign

of civilization.

Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 228

Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.

Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 248

Peace, n. In international affairs, a period of cheating between two

periods of fighting.

Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 248

Prejudice, n. A vagrant opinion without visible means of support.

Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 264

Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited.

Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 306

Destiny, n. A tyrant's authority for crime and a fool 's excuse for

failure.

Enlarged Devil's Dictionary (1967) p. 64

2.79 Laurence Binyon =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1869-1943

Now is the time for the burning of the leaves.

Horizon Oct. 1942, "The Ruins"

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.

The Times 21 Sept. 1914, "For the Fallen"

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

The Times 21 Sept. 1914, "For the Fallen"

2.80 Nigel Birch (Baron Rhyl) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1906-1981

My God! They've shot our fox! [said 13 Nov. 1947, when hearing of the

resignation of Hugh Dalton, Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour

Government].

In Harold Macmillan Tides of Fortune (1969) ch. 3

2.81 John Bird =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

That was the week that was.

Title of BBC television series, 1962-3: see Ned Sherrin A Small

Thing--Like an Earthquake (1983) p. 62

2.82 Earl of Birkenhead =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

See F. E. Smith (19.82)

2.83 Lord Birkett (William Norman Birkett, Baron Birkett) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1883-1962

I do not object to people looking at their watches when I am speaking. But

I strongly object when they start shaking them to make certain they are

still going.

In Observer 30 Oct. 1960

2.84 Eric Blair =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

See George Orwell ("George Orwell (Eric Blair)" in topic 15.24

form=pageonly.)

2.85 Eubie Blake (James Hubert Blake) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1883-1983

If I'd known I was gonna live this long [100 years], I'd have taken better

care of myself.

In Observer 13 Feb. 1983

2.86 Lesley Blanch =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1907-

She was an Amazon. Her whole life was spent riding at breakneck speed

towards the wilder shores of love.

The Wilder Shores of Love (1954) pt. 2, ch. 1

2.87 Alan Bleasdale =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1946-

Yosser hughes: Gizza job.... I can do that.

Boys from the Blackstuff (1985) p. 7 (often quoted as "Gissa job")

2.88 Karen Blixen =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

See Isak Dinesen (4.31)

2.89 Edmund Blunden =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1896-1974

Dance on this ball-floor thin and wan,

Use him as though you love him;

Court him, elude him, reel and pass,

And let him hate you through the glass.

Masks of Time (1925) "Midnight Skaters"

I have been young, and now am not too old;

And I have seen the righteous forsaken,

His health, his honour and his quality taken.

This is not what we were formerly told.

Near and Far (1929) "Report on Experience"

This was my country and it may be yet,

But something flew between me and the sun.

Retreat (1928) "The Resignation"

I am for the woods against the world,

But are the woods for me?

To Themis (1931) "The Kiss"

2.90 Alfred Blunt (Bishop of Bradford) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1879-1957

The benefit of the King's Coronation depends, under God, upon two

elements: First, on the faith, prayer, and self-dedication of the King

himself, and on that it would be improper for me to say anything except to

commend him, and ask you to commend him, to God's grace, which he will so

abundantly need...if he is to do his duty faithfully. We hope that he is

aware of his need. Some of us wish that he gave more positive signs of his

awareness.

Speech to Bradford Diocesan Conference, 1 Dec. 1936, in The Times 2 Dec.

1936

2.91 Wilfrid Scawen Blunt =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1840-1922

To the Grafton Gallery to look at...the Post-Impressionist pictures sent

over from Paris....The drawing is on the level of that of an untaught

child of seven or eight years old, the sense of colour that of a tea-tray

painter, the method that of a schoolboy who wipes his fingers on a slate

after spitting on them....These are not works of art at all, unless

throwing a handful of mud against a wall may be called one. They are the

works of idleness and impotent stupidity, a pornographic show.

My Diaries (1920) 15 Nov. 1910

I like the hunting of the hare

Better than that of the fox.

New Pilgrimage (1889) "The Old Squire"

2.92 Ronald Blythe =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1922-

As for the British churchman, he goes to church as he goes to the

bathroom, with the minimum of fuss and with no explanation if he can help

it.

Age of Illusion (1963) ch. 12

An industrial worker would sooner have a �5 note but a countryman must

have praise.

Akenfield (1969) ch. 5

2.93 Enid Blyton =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1897-1968

Five go off in a caravan.

Title of children's story (1946)

The naughtiest girl in the school.

Title of children's story (1940)

2.94 Louise Bogan =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1897-1970

Women have no wilderness in them,

They are provident instead,

Content in the tight hot cell of their hearts

To eat dusty bread.

Body of this Death (1923) "Women"

2.95 Humphrey Bogart =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1899-1957

Contrary to legend, as a juvenile I never said "Tennis, anyone?" just as

I never said "Drop the gun, Louie" as a heavy.

In Ezra Goodman Bogey: the Good-Bad Guy (1965) ch. 4. Cf. George Bernard

Shaw 199:4 See also Julius J. Epstein et al (5.22)

2.96 John B. Bogart =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1848-1921

When a dog bites a man, that is not news, because it happens so often. But

if a man bites a dog, that is news.

In F. M. O'Brien Story of the Sun (1918) ch. 10 (the quotation is often