The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations

‘A Ramble in St James’ Park’

Reason, an ignis fatuus of the mind,

Which leaves the light of nature, sense, behind.

‘A Satire Against Mankind’ (1679) l. 11

Then Old Age, and Experience, hand in hand, Lead him to Death, and make him understand, After a search so painful, and so long

That all his life he has been in the wrong. Huddled in dirt the reasoning engine lies, Who was so proud, so witty and so wise.

‘A Satire Against Mankind’ (1679) l. 25

Wretched Man is still in arms for fear; For fear he arms, and is of arms afraid, By fear, to fear, successively betrayed Base fear.

‘A Satire Against Mankind’ (1679) (1679) l. 141

For all men would be cowards if they durst.

‘A Satire Against Mankind’ (1679) l. 158

A merry monarch, scandalous and poor.

‘A Satire on King Charles II’ (1697)

Ancient person, for whom I All the flattering youth defy, Long be it ere thou grow old, Aching, shaking, crazy, cold; But still continue as thou art, Ancient person of my heart.

‘A Song of a Young Lady to her Ancient Lover’ (1691)

Love a woman? You’re an ass! ’Tis a most insipid passion

To choose out for your happiness The silliest part of God’s creation.

‘Song’ (1680)

Nothing, thou elder brother even to shade! Thou hadst a being ere the world was made, And, well fixed, art alone of ending not afraid.

Ere time and place were, time and place were not; Where primitive nothing something straight begot;

Then all proceeded from the great united what.

‘Upon Nothing’ (1680)

Matter, the wickedest offspring of thy race,

By form assisted, flew from thy embrace,

And rebel light obscured thy reverend dusky face.

With form and matter, time and place did join; Body, thy foe, with these did leagues combine,

To spoil thy peaceful realm, and ruin all thy line.

‘Upon Nothing’ (1680)

6.64 John D. Rockefeller 1839-1937

The growth of a large business is merely a survival of the fittest...The American beauty rose can be produced in the splendour and fragrance which bring cheer to its beholder only by sacrificing the early buds which grow up around it.

In W. J. Ghent ‘Our Benevolent Feudalism’ (1902) p. 29; ‘American Beauty Rose’ became the title of a song (1950) by Hal David and others.

6.65 Knute Rockne 1888-1931

See Joseph P. Kennedy (11.22) in Volume I

6.66 Gene Roddenberry 1921-91

These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission...to boldly go where no man has gone before.

‘Star Trek’ (television series, from 1966) introductory words

Beam us up, Mr Scott.

‘Star Trek’ (television series, from 1966) ‘Gamesters of Triskelion’; usually quoted: ‘Beam me up, Scotty’)

6.67 Theodore Roethke 1908-63

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.

I learn by going where I have to go.

‘The Waking’ (1953)

6.68 Samuel Rogers 1763-1855

Think nothing done while aught remains to do.

‘Human Life’ (1819) l. 49.

But there are moments which he calls his own, Then, never less alone than when alone,

Those whom he loved so long and sees no more, Loved and still loves—not dead—but gone before, He gathers round him.

‘Human Life’ (1819) l. 755

By many a temple half as old as Time.

‘Italy. A Farewell’ (1828) 2, 5.

Go—you may call it madness, folly; You shall not chase my gloom away. There’s such a charm in melancholy, I would not, if I could, be gay.

‘To—, 1814’

It doesn’t much signify whom one marries, for one is sure to find next morning that it was someone else.

In Alexander Dyce (ed.) ‘Table Talk’ (1860)

6.69 Thorold Rogers 1823-90

Sir, to be facetious it is not necessary to be indecent.

In imitation of Samuel Johnson; attributed also to Birkbeck Hill. John Bailey ‘Dr Johnson and his Circle’

See, ladling butter from alternate tubs

Stubbs butters Freeman, Freeman butters Stubbs.

Attributed in W. H. Hutton (ed.) ‘Letters of William Stubbs’ (1904) p. 149

6.70 Will Rogers 1879-1935

There is only one thing that can kill the movies, and that is education.

‘Autobiography of Will Rogers’ (1949) ch. 6

The more you read and observe about this Politics thing, you got to admit that each party is worse than the other.

‘The Illiterate Digest’ (1924) ‘Breaking into the Writing Game’

Income Tax has made more Liars out of the American people than Golf.

‘The Illiterate Digest’ (1924) ‘Helping the Girls with their Income Taxes’

Everything is funny as long as it is happening to Somebody Else.

‘The Illiterate Digest’ (1924) ‘Warning to Jokers: lay off the prince’

Communism is like prohibition, it’s a good idea but it won’t work.

‘Weekly Articles’ (1981) vol. 3, p. 93 (first published 1927)

Well, all I know is what I read in the papers.

‘New York Times’ 30 September 1923

You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.

In ‘New York Times’ 31 August 1924

You can’t say civilization don’t advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way.

‘New York Times’ 23 December 1929

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.

Letter in ‘New York Times’ 29 April 1930

Coolidge is a better example of evolution than either Bryan or Darrow, for he knows when not to talk, which is the biggest asset the monkey possesses over the human.

In ‘Saturday Review’ 25 August 1962 ‘A Rogers Thesaurus’

When you are very old, and sit in the candle-light at evening spinning by the fire, you will say, as you murmur my verses, a wonder in your eyes, ‘Ronsard sang of me in the days when I was

fair.’

‘Sonnets pour Hèléne’ (1578) bk. 2, no. 42

6.76 Eleanor Roosevelt 1884-1962

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

In ‘Catholic Digest’ August 1960, p. 102

6.77 Franklin D. Roosevelt 1882-1945

These unhappy times call for the building of plans that...build from the bottom up and not from the top down, that put their faith once more in the forgotten man at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Radio address, 7 April 1932, in ‘Public Papers’ (1938) vol. 1, p. 625

I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.

Speech to the Democratic Convention in Chicago, 2 July 1932, accepting the presidential nomination; in ‘Public Papers’ (1938) vol. 1, p. 647

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Inaugural address, 4 March 1933, in ‘Public Papers’ (1938) vol. 2, p. 11

In the field of world policy I would dedicate this Nation to the policy of the good neighbour.

Inaugural address, 4 March 1933, in ‘Public Papers’ (1938) vol. 2, p. 14

I have seen war...I hate war.

Speech at Chautauqua, NY, 14 August 1936, in ‘Public Papers’ (1936) vol. 5, p. 289

I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.

Second inaugural address, 20 January 1937, in ‘Public Papers’ (1941) vol. 6, p. 5

I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.

Speech in Boston, 30 October 1940, in ‘Public Papers’ (1941) vol. 9, p. 517

We have the men—the skill—the wealth—and above all, the will...We must be the great arsenal of democracy.

‘Fireside Chat’ radio broadcast, 29 December 1940, in ‘Public Papers’ (1941) vol. 9, p. 643

We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want...

everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear...anywhere in the world.

Message to Congress, 6 January 1941, in ‘Public Papers’ (1941) vol. 9, p. 672

Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

Address to Congress, 8 December 1941, in ‘Public Papers’ (1950) vol. 10, p. 514

The work, my friend, is peace. More than an end of this war—an end to the beginnings of all

wars.

Undelivered address for Jefferson Day, 13 April 1945 (the day after Roosevelt died) in ‘Public Papers’ (1950) vol. 13, p. 615

Books can not be killed by fire. People die, but books never die. No man and no force can abolish memory...In this war, we know, books are weapons. And it is a part of your dedication always to make them weapons for man’s freedom.

‘Message to the Booksellers of America’ 6 May 1942, in ‘Publisher’s Weekly’ 9 May 1942

It is fun to be in the same decade with you.

Cable to Winston Churchill, replying to congratulations on Roosevelt’s 60th birthday, in W. S. Churchill ‘Hinge of Fate’ (1950) ch. 4

6.78 Theodore Roosevelt 1858-1919

I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life.

Speech to the Hamilton Club, Chicago, 10 April 1899, in ‘Works’, Memorial edition (1925), vol. 15, p. 267

There is a homely old adage which runs: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.’ If the American nation will speak softly, and yet build and keep at a pitch of the highest training a thoroughly efficient navy, the Monroe Doctrine will go far.

Speech at Chicago, 3 April 1903, in ‘New York Times’ 4 April 1903

A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled to, and less than that no man shall have.

Speech at the Lincoln Monument, Springfield, Illinois, 4 June 1903, in ‘Addresses and Presidential Messages 1902-4’ (1904) p. 224

The men with the muck-rakes are often indispensable to the well-being of society; but only if they know when to stop raking the muck.

Speech in Washington, 14 April 1906, in ‘Works’, Memorial edition (1925) vol. 18, p. 574.

There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism...The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities.

Speech in New York, 12 October 1915, in ‘Works’, Memorial edition (1925) vol. 20, p. 457

Foolish fanatics...the men who form the lunatic fringe in all reform movements.

‘Autobiography’ (1913) ch. 7

I am as strong as a bull moose and you can use me to the limit.

Letter to Mark Hanna, 27 June 1900, in ‘Works’ (Memorial edition, 1926) vol. 23, p. 162; ‘Bull Moose’ subsequently became the popular name of the Progressive Party

6.79 Lord Rosebery (Archibald Philip Primrose, fifth Earl of Rosebery) 1847-1929

Imperialism, sane Imperialism, as distinguished from what I may call wild-cat Imperialism, is nothing but this—a larger patriotism.

Speech at a City Liberal Club dinner, 5 May 1899

It is beginning to be hinted that we are a nation of amateurs.

Rectorial Address at Glasgow University, 16 November 1900, in ‘The Times’ 17 November 1900

I must plough my furrow alone.

Speech on remaining outside the Liberal Party leadership, 19 July 1901, in ‘The Times’ 20 July 1901

The fly-blown phylacteries of the Liberal Party.

Speech at Chesterfield, 16 December 1901

6.80 Ethel Rosenberg 1916-53 and Julius Rosenberg 1918-53

We are innocent...To forsake this truth is to pay too high a price even for the priceless gift of life.

Petition for executive clemency, filed 9 January 1953, in Ethel Rosenberg ‘Death House Letters’ (1953) p. 149

We are the first victims of American Fascism.

Letter from Julius to Emanuel Bloch before the Rosenbergs’ execution for espionage, 19 June 1953; in Ethel Rosenberg ‘Testament of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg’ (1954) p. 187

6.81 Alan S. C. Ross 1907-80

There are, it is true, still a few minor points of life which may serve to demarcate the upper class, but they are only minor ones...when drunk, gentlemen often become amorous or maudlin or vomit in public, but they never become truculent.

‘U and Non-U. An essay in sociological linguistics’, in ‘Neuphilologische Mitteilungen’ (1954); later incorporated into Nancy Mitford (ed.) ‘Noblesse Oblige’ (1956)

6.82 Christina Rossetti 1830-94

Because the birthday of my life Is come, my love is come to me.

‘A Birthday’

Come to me in the silence of the night; Come in the speaking silence of a dream;

Come with soft rounded cheeks and eyes as bright As sunlight on a stream;

Come back in tears,

O memory, hope, love of finished years.

‘Echo’

In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow,

In the bleak mid-winter, Long ago.

‘Mid-Winter’

The hope I dreamed of was a dream,

Was but a dream; and now I wake, Exceeding comfortless, and worn, and old, For a dream’s sake.

‘Mirage’

Oh roses for the flush of youth, And laurel for the perfect prime; But pluck an ivy branch for me Grown old before my time.

‘Oh Roses for the Flush’

Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land.

‘Remember’

Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.

‘Remember’

O Earth, lie heavily upon her eyes;

Seal her sweet eyes weary of watching, Earth.

‘Rest’

Silence more musical than any song.

‘Rest’

Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end.

Will the day’s journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend.

‘Up-Hill’

When I am dead, my dearest, Sing no sad songs for me; Plant thou no roses at my head, Nor shady cypress tree:

Be the green grass above me With showers and dewdrops wet; And if thou wilt, remember, And if thou wilt, forget.

‘When I am Dead’

6.83 Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1828-82

Like the sweet apple which reddens upon the topmost bough,

A-top on the topmost twig,—which the pluckers forgot, somehow,— Forgot it not, nay, but got it not, for none could get it till now.

‘Beauty: A Combination from Sappho’

The blessed damozel leaned out From the gold bar of Heaven;

Her eyes were deeper than the depth Of waters stilled at even;

She had three lilies in her hand, And the stars in her hair were seven.

‘The Blessed Damozel’ st. 1

Her hair that lay along her back Was yellow like ripe corn.

‘The Blessed Damozel’ st. 2

As low as where this earth Spins like a fretful midge.

‘The Blessed Damozel’ st. 6

And the souls mounting up to God Went by her like thin flames.

‘The Blessed Damozel’ st. 7

‘We two,’ she said, ‘will seek the groves Where the lady Mary is,

With her five handmaidens, whose names Are five sweet symphonies,

Cecily, Gertrude, Magdalen, Margaret and Rosalys.’

‘The Blessed Damozel’ st. 18

A sonnet is a moment’s monument,— Memorial from the Soul’s eternity To one dead deathless hour.

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 1, introduction

’Tis visible silence, still as the hour-glass.

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 1 ‘Silent Noon’

Deep in the sun-searched growths the dragon-fly Hangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky:— So this wing’d hour is dropt to us from above. Oh! clasp we to our hearts, for deathless dower, This close-companioned inarticulate hour

When twofold silence was the song of love.

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 1 ‘Silent Noon’

Lo! as that youth’s eyes burned at thine, so went Thy spell through him, and left his straight neck bent And round his heart one strangling golden hair.

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 2 ‘Body’s Beauty’

They die not,—for their life was death,—but cease; And round their narrow lips the mould falls close.

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 2 ‘The Choice’

I do not see them here; but after death God knows I know the faces I shall see,

Each one a murdered self, with low last breath. ‘I am thyself,—what hast thou done to me?’ ‘And I—and I—thyself,’ (lo! each one saith,) ‘And thou thyself to all eternity!’

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 2 ‘Lost Days’

Give honour unto Luke Evangelist; For he it was (the aged legends say)

Who first taught Art to fold her hands and pray.

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 2 ‘Old and New Art’

When vain desire at last and vain regret Go hand in hand to death, and all is vain, What shall assuage the unforgotten pain And teach the unforgetful to forget?

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 2 ‘The One Hope’

Look in my face; my name is Might-have-been; I am also called No-more, Too-late, Farewell.

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 2 ‘A Superscription’

Sleepless with cold commemorative eyes.

‘The House of Life’ (1881) pt. 2 ‘A Superscription’

Unto the man of yearning thought And aspiration, to do nought

Is in itself almost an act.

‘Soothsay’ st. 10

I have been here before,

But when or how I cannot tell:

I know the grass beyond the door, The sweet keen smell,

The sighing sound, the lights around the shore.

‘Sudden Light’

6.84 Gioacchino Rossini 1792-1868

Monsieur Wagner a de beaux moments, mais de mauvais quart d’heures.

Wagner has lovely moments but awful quarters of an hour.

Said to Emile Naumann, April 1867, in Naumann ‘Italienische Tondichter’ (1883) 4, 541