The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations

Letter to a patron, in John Hayes ‘Thomas Gainsborough’ (1980) p. 14

We are all going to Heaven, and Vandyke is of the company.

Attributed last words in William B. Boulton ‘Thomas Gainsborough’ (1905) ch. 9

7.3 Thomas Gaisford 1779-1855

Nor can I do better, in conclusion, than impress upon you the study of Greek literature, which not only elevates above the vulgar herd, but leads not infrequently to positions of considerable emolument.

Christmas Day Sermon in the Cathedral, Oxford, in W. Tuckwell ‘Reminiscences of Oxford’ (2nd ed., 1907)

p.124

7.4Hugh Gaitskell 1906-63

There are some of us...who will fight and fight and fight again to save the Party we love.

Speech at Labour Party Conference, 5 October 1960, in ‘Report of 59th Annual Conference’ p. 201

It means the end of a thousand years of history.

On a European federation, in Speech at Labour Party Conference, 3 October 1962: ‘Report of 61st Annual Conference’ p. 159

7.5 Gaius 2nd century A.D.

Damnosa hereditas.

Ruinous inheritance.

‘The Institutes’ bk. 2, ch. 163

7.6 J. K. Galbraith 1908—

These are the days when men of all social disciplines and all political faiths seek the comfortable and the accepted; when the man of controversy is looked upon as a disturbing influence; when originality is taken to be a mark of instability; and when, in minor modification of the scriptural parable, the bland lead the bland.

‘The Affluent Society’ (1958) ch. 1, sect. 3

It is a far, far better thing to have a firm anchor in nonsense than to put out on the troubled seas of thought.

‘The Affluent Society’ (1958) ch. 11, sect. 4

The greater the wealth, the thicker will be the dirt.

‘The Affluent Society’ (1958) ch. 18, sect. 2

In the affluent society no useful distinction can be made between luxuries and necessaries.

‘The Affluent Society’ (1958) ch. 21

Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.

Letter to President Kennedy, 2 March 1962, in ‘Ambassador’s Journal’ (1969) p. 312.

7.7 Galileo Galilei 1564-1642

a las cinco de la tarde

At five in the afternoon.

It was exactly five in the afternoon. A boy brought the white sheet

at five in the afternoon.

‘Llanto por Ignacio S nchez Mejías’ (1935) ‘La Cogida y la muerte’

Verde que te quiero verde, Verde viento. Verde ramas. Verde ramas.

El barco sobre la mar

y el caballo en la montaña.

Green how I love you green. Green wind.

Green boughs. The ship on the sea

and the horse on the mountain.

‘Romance son mbulo’ (1924-7)

7.13 Richard Gardiner b. c.1533

Sowe Carrets in your Gardens, and humbly praise God for them, as for a singular and great blessing.

‘Profitable Instructions for the Manuring, Sowing and Planting of Kitchen Gardens’ (1599)

7.14 Ed Gardner 1905-63

Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings.

In ‘Duffy’s Tavern’ (1940s American radio programme)

7.15 James A. Garfield 1831-81

Fellow-citizens: God reigns, and the Government at Washington lives!

Speech on the assassination of President Lincoln, 1865

7.16 Giuseppe Garibaldi 1807-82

Soldati, io esco da Roma. Chi vuole continuare la guerra contro lo straniero venga con me. Non posso offrirgli nè onori nè stipendi; gli offro fame, sete, marcie forzate, battaglie e morte. Chi ama la patria mi segua.

Men, I’m getting out of Rome. Anyone who wants to carry on the war against the outsiders, come with me. I can’t offer you either honours or wages; I offer you hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles and death. Anyone who loves his country, follow me.

Guiseppe Guerzoni ‘Garibaldi’ (1882) vol. 1, p. 331. (The speech was not recorded verbatim.)

7.17 John Nance Garner 1868-1967

The vice-presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.

In O. C. Fisher ‘Cactus Jack’ (1978) ch. 11

7.18 David Garrick 1717-79

Farewell, great painter of mankind! Who reached the noblest point of art, Whose pictured morals charm the mind And through the eye correct the heart.

Epitaph on Hogarth’s monument in Chiswick churchyard

Heart of oak are our ships, heart of oak are our men.

‘Harlequin’s Invasion’ (1759) ‘Heart of Oak’ (song)

Here lies Nolly Goldsmith, for shortness called Noll, Who wrote like an angel, but talked like poor Poll.

‘Impromptu Epitaph’.

A fellow-feeling makes one wond’rous kind.

‘An Occasional Prologue on Quitting the Theatre’ 10 June 1776

Are these the choice dishes the Doctor has sent us? Is this the great poet whose works so content us?

This Goldsmith’s fine feast, who has written fine books? Heaven sends us good meat, but the Devil sends cooks.

‘On Doctor Goldsmith’s Characteristical Cookery’

Prologues precede the piece—in mournful verse; As undertakers—walk before the hearse.

Prologue to Arthur Murphy’s ‘The Apprentice’ (1756)

I’ve that within—for which there are no plaisters.

Prologue to Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer (1773)

Kitty, a fair, but frozen maid, Kindled a flame I still deplore.

‘A Riddle’ (1762)

See also George Colman and David Garrick (3.149)

7.19 William Lloyd Garrison 1805-79

I am in earnest—I will not equivocate—I will not excuse—I will not retreat a single inch—and I will be heard!

‘The Liberator’ 1 January 1831 Salutatory Address

Our country is the world—our countrymen are all mankind.

‘The Liberator’ 15 December 1837 Prospectus

The compact which exists between the North and the South is ‘a covenant with death and an agreement with hell’.

Resolution adopted by the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, 27 January 1843, in Archibald H. Grimke ‘William Lloyd Garrison: The Abolitionist’ (1891) ch. 16.

7.20 Sir Samuel Garth 1661-1719

Hard was their lodging, homely was their food; For all their luxury was doing good.

‘Claremont’ (1715) l. 148

A barren superfluity of words.

‘The Dispensary’ (1699) canto 2, l. 82

7.21 Elizabeth Gaskell 1810-65

A man...is so in the way in the house!

‘Cranford’ (1853) ch. 1

‘It is very pleasant dining with a bachelor,’ said Miss Matty, softly, as we settled ourselves in the counting-house. ‘I only hope it is not improper; so many pleasant things are!’

‘Cranford’ (1853) ch. 4

Bombazine would have shown a deeper sense of her loss.

‘Cranford’ (1853) ch. 7

We donnot want dainties, we want belly-fulls; we donnot want gimcrack coats and waistcoats, we want warm clothes; and so that we get’em, we’d not quarrel wi’ what they’re made on.

‘Mary Barton’ (1848)

That kind of patriotism which consists in hating all other nations.

‘Sylvia’s Lovers’ (1863) ch. 1

7.22 Gavarni (Guillaume Sulpice Chevallier) 1804-66

Les enfants terribles.

The embarrassing young.

Title of a series of prints (1842)

7.23 John Gay 1685-1732

O ruddier than the cherry, O sweeter than the berry.

‘Acis and Galatea’ (performed 1718, published 1732) pt. 2

How, like a moth, the simple maid Still plays about the flame!

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 1, sc. 4, air 4

Our Polly is a sad slut! nor heeds what we have taught her. I wonder any man alive will ever rear a daughter!

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 1, sc. 8, air 7

Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had

been married?

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 1, sc. 8

Can Love be controlled by advice?

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 1, sc. 8, air 8

polly: Then all my sorrows are at an end.

mrs peachum: A mighty likely speech, in troth, for a wench who is just married!

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 1, sc. 8

Money, wife, is the true fuller’s earth for reputations, there is not a spot or a stain but what it can take out.

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 1, sc. 9

The comfortable estate of widowhood, is the only hope that keeps up a wife’s spirits.

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 1, sc. 10

If with me you’d fondly stray. Over the hills and far away.

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 1, sc. 13, air 16

We retrench the superfluities of mankind.

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 1

Fill ev’ry glass, for wine inspires us, And fires us

With courage, love and joy.

Women and wine should life employ. Is there ought else on earth desirous?

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 1, air 19

If the heart of a man is deprest with cares, The mist is dispelled when a woman appears.

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 3, air 21

I must have women. There is nothing unbends the mind like them.

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 3

Youth’s the season made for joys; Love is then our duty.

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 4, air 22

To cheat a man is nothing; but the woman must have fine parts indeed who cheats a woman!

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 4

I am ready, my dear Lucy, to give you satisfaction—if you think there is any in marriage?

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 9

In one respect indeed, our employment may be reckoned dishonest, because, like great Statesmen, we encourage those who betray their friends.

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 10

How happy could I be with either, Were t’ other dear charmer away!

‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1728) act 2, sc. 13, air 35

She who has never loved, has never lived.

‘The Captives’ (1724) act 2, sc. 2

She who trifles with all Is less likely to fall

Than she who but trifles with one.

‘The Coquet Mother and the Coquet Daughter’

Behold the victim of Parthenia’s pride!

He saw, he sighed, he loved, was scorned and died.

‘Dione’ (1720) act 1, sc. 1

A woman’s friendship ever ends in love.

‘Dione’ (1720) act 4, sc. 6

Whence is thy learning? Hath thy toil O’er books consumed the midnight oil?

‘Fables’ (1727) introduction, l. 15.

Envy’s a sharper spur than pay, No author ever spared a brother, Wits are gamecocks to one another.

‘Fables’ (1727) ‘The Elephant and the Bookseller’ l. 74

And when a lady’s in the case,

You know, all other things give place.

‘Fables’ (1727) ‘The Hare and Many Friends’ l. 41

Those who in quarrels interpose, Must often wipe a bloody nose.

‘Fables’ (1727) ‘The Mastiffs’ l. 1

Where yet was ever found a mother, Who’d give her booby for another?

‘Fables’ (1727) ‘The Mother, the Nurse, and the Fairy’ l. 33

An open foe may prove a curse, But a pretended friend is worse.

‘Fables’ (1727) ‘The Shepherd’s Dog and the Wolf’ l. 33

I know you lawyers can, with ease, Twist words and meanings as you please; That language, by your skill made pliant, Will bend to favour ev’ry client.

‘Fables’ (1738) ‘The Dog and the Fox’

Studious of elegance and ease, Myself alone I seek to please.

‘Fables’ (1738) ‘The Man, the Cat, the Dog, and the Fly’ l. 127

That politician tops his part,

Who readily can lie with art.

‘Fables’ (1738) ‘The Squire and his Cur’ l. 27

Give me, kind heaven, a private station, A mind serene for contemplation.

‘Fables’ (1738) ‘The Vulture, the Sparrow, and Other Birds’ l. 69 Behold the bright original appear. ‘A Letter to a Lady’ l. 85

Praising all alike, is praising none.

‘A Letter to a Lady’ l. 114

Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.

‘My Own Epitaph’

Whether we can afford it or no, we must have superfluities.

‘Polly’ (1729) act 1, sc. 1

No, sir, tho’ I was born and bred in England, I can dare to be poor, which is the only thing now- a-days men are ashamed of.

‘Polly’ (1729) act 1, sc. 11

An inconstant woman, tho’ she has no chance to be very happy, can never be very unhappy.

‘Polly’ (1729) act 1, sc. 14

All in the Downs the fleet was moored, The streamers waving in the wind, When black-eyed Susan came aboard.

‘Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-Eyed Susan’

They’ll tell thee, sailors, when away, In ev’ry port a mistress find.

‘Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-Eyed Susan’

Adieu, she cries! and waved her lily hand.

‘Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-Eyed Susan’

A miss for pleasure, and a wife for breed.

‘The Toilette’

7.24 Noel Gay (Richard Moxon Armitage) 1898-1954

I’m leaning on a lamp-post at the corner of the street, In case a certain little lady comes by.

‘Leaning on a Lamp-Post’ (1937), sung by George Formby in the film ‘Father Knew Best’

7.25 Sir Eric Geddes 1875-1937

The Germans, if this Government is returned, are going to pay every penny; they are going to be squeezed as a lemon is squeezed—until the pips squeak.

Speech at Cambridge, 10 December 1918, in ‘Cambridge Daily News’ 11 December 1918

7.26 George I 1660-1727

I hate all Boets and Bainters.

In John Campbell ‘The Lives of the Chief Justices’ (1849) ch. 30 ‘Lord Mansfield’

7.27 George II 1683-1760

Non, j’aurai des maîtresses.

No, I shall have mistresses.

To Queen Caroline when, on her death bed, she urged him to marry again; in John Hervey ‘Memoirs of the Reign of George II’ (1848) vol. 2. The Queen replied: ‘Ah! mon dieu! cela n’empêche pas [Oh, my God! That won’t prevent you]’

We are come for your good, for all your goods.

Speech at Portsmouth, probably 1716, in Joseph Spence ‘Anecdotes’ (ed. J. M. Osborn, 1966) no. 903

Mad, is he? Then I hope he will bite some of my other generals.

Replying to the Duke of Newcastle, who had complained that General Wolfe was a madman, in Henry Beckles Willson ‘The Life and Letters of James Wolfe’ (1909) ch. 17

7.28 George III 1738-1820

Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Briton.

‘The King’s Speech on Opening the Session’ in ‘Hansard’ 18 November 1760, col. 942

Was there ever such stuff as great part of Shakespeare? Only one must not say so! But what think you?—what?—Is there not sad stuff? what?—what?

To Fanny Burney, in her Diary 19 December 1785

7.29 George IV 1762-1830

Harris, I am not well; pray get me a glass of brandy.

On first seeing Caroline of Brunswick, his future wife; in Earl of Malmesbury ‘Diaries’ 5 April 1795

7.30 George V 1865-1936

I venture to allude to the impression which seemed generally to prevail among their brethren across the seas, that the Old Country must wake up if she intends to maintain her old position of pre-eminence in her Colonial trade against foreign competitors.

Speech at Guildhall, 5 December 1901, in Harold Nicolson ‘King George V’ (1952) p. 73 (the speech was reprinted in 1911 with the title ‘Wake up, England’)

I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war.

Message read at Terlincthun Cemetery, Boulogne, 13 May 1922, in ‘The Times’ 15 May 1922

I said to your predecessor: ‘You know what they’re all saying, no more coals to Newcastle, no more Hoares to Paris.’ The fellow didn’t even laugh.

In conversation with Anthony Eden, 23 December 1935, following Samuel Hoare’s resignation as Foreign Secretary on 18 December 1935, in Earl of Avon ‘Facing the Dictators’ (1962) pt. 2, ch. 1

After I am dead, the boy will ruin himself in twelve months.