The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
.pdfIn ‘Observer’ 15 July 1962
2.120 Ambrose Bierce 1842-c.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.
‘The Cynic’s Word Book’ (1906) p. 12
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.
‘The Cynic’s Word Book’ (1906) p. 16
Applause, n. The echo of a platitude.
‘The 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.
‘The 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.
‘The Cynic’s Word Book’ (1906) p. 30
Calamity, n....Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves, and good fortune to others.
‘The 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.
‘The Cynic’s Word Book’ (1906) p. 56
Destiny, n. A tyrant’s authority for crime and a fool’s excuse for failure.
‘The Enlarged Devil’s Dictionary’ (1967) p. 64
Future, n. That period of time in which our affairs prosper, our friends are true, and our happiness is assured.
‘The 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.
‘The Cynic’s Word Book’ (1906) p. 161
Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.
‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ (1911) p. 248
Peace, n. In international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting.
‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ (1911) p. 248
Prejudice, n. A vagrant opinion without visible means of support.
‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ (1911) p. 264
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited.
‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ (1911) p. 306
2.121 Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk 1245-1306
By God, O King, I will neither go nor hang!
Replying to King Edward I’s ‘By God, earl, you shall either go or hang’, 24 February 1297, when requiring the barons to invade France through Gascony while he took command in Flanders; in Harry Rothwell (ed.) ‘The Chronicles of Walter of Guisbrough’ Camden Society Series 3, vol. 89 (1957) p. 291
2.122 Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) 1818-85
The trouble with people is not that they don’t know but that they know so much that ain’t so.
‘Josh Billings’ Encyclopedia of Wit and Wisdom’ (1874)
Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just, But four times he who gets his blow in fust.
‘Josh Billings, his Sayings’ (1865).
2.123 Laurence Binyon 1869-1943
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.
‘For the Fallen’ (1914)
Now is the time for the burning of the leaves.
‘The Ruins’ (1942)
2.124 Nigel Birch (Baron Rhyl) 1906-81
My God! They’ve shot our fox!
When hearing of the resignation of Hugh Dalton, Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government, 13 November 1947, in Harold Macmillan ‘Tides of Fortune’ (1969) ch. 3
2.125 John Bird
That was the week that was.
Title of satirical BBC television series (1962-3)
2.126 Earl of Birkenhead
See F. E. Smith (7.111) in Volume II
2.127 Augustine Birrell 1850-1933
That great dust-heap called ‘history’.
‘Obiter Dicta’ (1884) ‘Carlyle’
2.128 Prince Otto von Bismarck 1815-98
Die Politik ist die Lehre von Möglichen.
Politics is the art of the possible.
In conversation with Meyer von Waldeck, 11 August 1867
Die Vermittelung des Friedens denke ich mir nicht so, dass wir nun bei divergirenden
Ansichten den Schiedsrichter spielen und sagen...
I do not regard the procuring of peace as a matter in which we should play the rôle of arbiter between different opinions...more that of an honest broker who really wants to press the business
forward.
Speech to the Reichstag, 19 February 1878, in Ludwig Hahn (ed.) ‘Fürst Bismarck. Sein politisches Leben und Wirken’ vol. 3 (1881) p. 90
Legt eine möglichst starke militärische Kraft...in die Hand des Königs von Preussen, dann wird er die Politik machen können, die Ihr wünscht; mit Reden und Schützenfesten und Liedern macht sie sich nicht, sie macht sich nur durch Blut und Eisen.
Place in the hands of the King of Prussia the strongest possible military power, then he will be able to carry out the policy you wish; this policy cannot succeed through speeches, and shooting-
matches, and songs; it can only be carried out through blood and iron.
Prussian House of Deputies, 28 January 1886 (used by Bismarck in the form Eisen und Blut 30 September 1862)
Herr Ballen, the great shipping magnate, told me that he had heard Bismarck say towards the end of his life, ‘If there is ever another war in Europe, it will come out of some damned silly thing in the Balkans.’
In ‘Hansard’ 16 August 1945, col. 84
A lath of wood painted to look like iron.
Describing Lord Salisbury; attributed, but vigorously denied by Sidney Whitman in ‘Personal Reminiscences of Prince Bismarck’ (1902) ch. 14
2.129 Sir William Blackstone 1723-80
Man was formed for society.
‘Commentaries on the Laws of England’ (1765) introduction, sect. 2.
The king never dies.
‘Commentaries on the Laws of England’ (1765) bk. 1, ch. 7
The royal navy of England hath ever been its greatest defence and ornament; it is its ancient and natural strength; the floating bulwark of the island.
‘Commentaries on the Laws of England’ (1765) bk. 1, ch. 13
That the king can do no wrong, is a necessary and fundamental principle of the English constitution.
‘Commentaries on the Laws of England’ (1765) bk. 3, ch. 17
It is better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent suffer.
‘Commentaries on the Laws of England’ (1765) bk. 4, ch. 27
2.130 Robert Blair 1699-1746
Oft, in the lone church-yard at night I’ve seen, The schoolboy with a satchel in his hand,
Whistling aloud to keep his courage up...
Sudden he starts! and hears, or thinks he hears, The sound of something purring at his heels; Full fast he flies, and dares not look behind him, Till out of breath, he overtakes his fellows.
‘The Grave’ (1743) l. 57.
2.131 Eubie Blake (James Hubert Blake) 1883-1983
If I’d known I was gonna live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.
On reaching the age of 100, in ‘Observer’ 13 February 1983
2.132 William Blake 1757-1827
When Sir Joshua Reynolds died All Nature was degraded:
The King dropped a tear into the Queen’s ear; And all his pictures faded.
Annotations to The Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds p. cix ‘When Sir Joshua Reynolds died’ (c.1808)
To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 1
A robin red breast in a cage Puts all Heaven in a rage.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 5
A dog starved at his master’s gate Predicts the ruin of the State
A horse misused upon the road Calls to Heaven for human blood Each outcry of the hunted hare A fibre from the brain does tear A skylark wounded in the wing A cherubim does cease to sing.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 9
The bat that flits at close of eve Has left the brain that won’t believe.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 25
He who shall hurt the little wren Shall never be beloved by men He who the ox to wrath has moved
Shall never be by woman loved.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 29
The caterpillar on the leaf Repeats to thee thy mother’s grief Kill not the moth nor butterfly
For the Last Judgement draweth nigh.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 37
A truth that’s told with bad intent Beats all the lies you can invent It is right it should be so
Man was made for joy and woe And when this we rightly know Thro’ the world we safely go Joy and woe are woven fine
A clothing for the soul divine.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 53
The bleat the bark bellow and roar Are waves that beat on heavens shore.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 71
The strongest poison ever known Came from Caesar’s laurel crown.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 97
The whore and gambler by the State Licensed build that nation’s fate The harlot’s cry from street to street
Shall weave old England’s winding sheet.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 113
God appears and God is Light
To those poor souls who dwell in night But does a human form display
To those who dwell in realms of day.
‘Auguries of Innocence’ (c.1803) l. 129
Does the eagle know what is in the pit? Or wilt thou go ask the mole:
Can wisdom be put in a silver rod? Or love in a golden bowl?
‘The Book of Thel’ (1789) plate i ‘Thel’s Motto’
Everything that lives, Lives not alone, nor for itself.
‘The Book of Thel’ (1789) plate 3, l. 26
The Vision of Christ that thou dost see Is my vision’s greatest enemy
Thine has a great hook nose like thine Mine has a snub nose like to mine.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (a) l. 1
Both read the Bible day and night
But thou read’st black where I read white.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (a) l. 13
Was Jesus gentle or did he Give any marks of gentility
When twelve years old he ran away And left his parents in dismay.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (b) l. 1
Was Jesus humble or did he Give any proofs of humility
Boast of high things with humble tone And give with charity a stone.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (d) l. 1
Humility is only doubt
And does the sun and moon blot out Rooting over with thorns and stems The buried soul and all its gems This life’s dim windows of the soul
Distorts the heavens from pole to pole And leads you to believe a lie
When you see with not thro’ the eye.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (d) l. 99
Was Jesus chaste or did he Give any lessons of chastity The morning blushed fiery red
Mary was found in adulterous bed.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (e) l. 1
Jesus was sitting in Moses chair
They brought the trembling woman there Moses commands she be stoned to death What was the sound of Jesus breath
He laid His hand on Moses Law The ancient Heavens in silent awe Writ with curses from pole to pole All away began to roll.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (e) l. 7
I am sure this Jesus will not do Either for Englishman or Jew.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (f) l. 1
Did Jesus teach doubt or did he Give any lessons of philosophy Charge visionaries with deceiving Or call men wise for not believing.
‘The Everlasting Gospel’ (c.1818) (h) l. 1
Mutual Forgiveness of each vice, Such are the Gates of Paradise.
‘For the Sexes: The Gates of Paradise’ ‘Mutual Forgiveness of each Vice’ [prologue]
Truly, my Satan, thou art but a dunce,
And dost not know the garment from the man; Every harlot was a virgin once,
Nor can’st thou ever change Kate into Nan.
Tho’ thou art worshipped by the names divine Of Jesus and Jehovah, thou art still
The Son of Morn in weary Night’s decline,
The lost traveller’s dream under the hill.
‘For the Sexes: The Gates of Paradise’ ‘To the Accuser who is The God of This World’ [epilogue]
I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man’s. I will not reason and compare: my business is to create.
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘Chapter 1’ (plate 10, l. 20)
Near mournful
Ever weeping Paddington.
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘Chapter 1’ (plate 12, l. 27)
The fields from Islington to Marybone, To Primrose Hill and Saint John’s Wood Were builded over with pillars of gold; And there Jerusalem’s pillars stood.
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘To the Jews’ (plate 27, l. 1) “The fields from Islington to Marybone”
Pancras and Kentish-town repose Among her golden pillars high Among her golden arches which Shine upon the starry sky.
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘To the Jews’ (plate 27, l. 9) “The fields from Islington to Marybone”
For a tear is an intellectual thing;
And a sigh is the sword of an Angel King And the bitter groan of the martyr’s woe
Is an arrow from the Almighty’s bow!
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘To the Deists’ (plate 52, l. 25) “I saw a Monk of Charlemaine”
He who would do good to another, must do it in minute particulars General good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite and flatterer:
For Art and Science cannot exist but in minutely organized particulars.
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘Chapter 3’ (plate 55, l. 60)
I give you the end of a golden string; Only wind it into a ball:
It will lead you in at Heaven’s gate, Built in Jerusalem’s wall.
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘To the Christians’ (plate 77) “I give you the end of a golden string”
England! awake! awake! awake! Jerusalem thy sister calls!
Why wilt thou sleep the sleep of death, And close her from thy ancient walls?
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘To the Christians’ (plate 77) “England! awake!... “
And now the time returns again:
Our souls exult, and London’s towers, Receive the Lamb of God to dwell
In England’s green and pleasant bowers.
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘To the Christians’ (plate 77)
I care not whether a man is good or evil; all that I care
Is whether he is a wise man or a fool. Go! put off holiness And put on Intellect.
‘Jerusalem’ (1815) ‘Chapter 4’ (plate 91, l. 54)
May God us keep
From Single vision and Newton’s sleep!
In Letter to Thomas Butts, 22 November 1802
O why was I born with a different face? Why was I not born like the rest of my race?
In Letter to Thomas Butts, 16 August 1803
Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘The Argument’
Energy is Eternal Delight.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘The voice of the Devil’
The reason Milton wrote in fetters when he wrote of Angels and God, and at liberty when of Devils and Hell, is because he was a true Poet, and of the Devil’s party without knowing it.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘The voice of the Devil’ “note”
The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
Prudence is a rich, ugly, old maid courted by Incapacity.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
He who desires but acts not, breeds pestilence.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
Eternity is in love with the productions of time.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
Bring out number weight and measure in a year of dearth.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
If the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
Prisons are built with stones of Law, brothels with bricks of Religion.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
The pride of the peacock is the glory of God. The lust of the goat is the bounty of God. The wrath of the lion is the wisdom of God. The nakedness of woman is the work of God.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
The tygers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
Damn. braces: Bless relaxes.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
Exuberance is beauty.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
Sooner murder an infant in its cradle than nurse unacted desires.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
Truth can never be told so as to be understood, and not be believed.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘Proverbs of Hell’
How do you know but every bird that cuts the airy way
Is an immense world of delight, closed by your senses five?
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘A Memorable Fancy’ plate 7
Then I asked: ‘Does a firm persuasion that a thing is so, make it so?’
He replied: ‘All Poets believe that it does, and in ages of imagination this firm persuasion removed mountains; but many are not capable of a firm persuasion of anything.’
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘A Memorable Fancy’ plates 12-13
If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘A Memorable Fancy’ plate 14
I was in a printing house in Hell, and saw the method in which knowledge is transmitted from
generation to generation.
‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790-3) ‘A Memorable Fancy’ plates 15-17
And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England’s mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.
I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem,
In England’s green and pleasant land.
‘Milton’ (1804-10) Preface ‘And did those feet in ancient time’
Mock on mock on Voltaire Rousseau Mock on mock on ’tis all in vain You throw the sand against the wind And the wind blows it back again.
‘MS Note-Book’ p. 7
Of H—’s birth this was the happy lot His mother on his father him begot.
‘MS Note-Book’ p. 27
A petty sneaking knave I knew O! Mr Cr[omek] how do ye do.
‘MS Note-Book’ p. 29
He has observed the golden rule Till he’s become the golden fool.
‘MS Note-Book’ p.30
To forgive enemies H—does pretend Who never in his life forgave a friend.
‘MS Note-Book’ p. 34
The errors of a wise man make your rule Rather than the perfections of a fool.
‘MS Note-Book’ p. 42