The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations

On his son, the future Edward VIII, in Keith Middlemas and John Barnes ‘Baldwin’ (1969) ch. 34

Bugger Bognor.

Comment believed to have been made either in 1929, when it was proposed that the town be named Bognor Regis on account of his convalescence there after a serious illness; or on his death-bed in 1936, when someone remarked ‘Cheer up, your Majesty, you will soon be at Bognor again.’ Kenneth Rose ‘King George V’ (1983) ch. 9

How’s the Empire?

To his private secretary on the morning of his death, probably prompted by an article in ‘The Times’, which he held open at the imperial and foreign page. Kenneth Rose ‘King George V’ (1983) ch. 10

7.31 George VI 1895-1952

Personally I feel happier now that we have no allies to be polite to and to pamper.

To Queen Mary, 27 June 1940, in John Wheeler-Bennett ‘King George VI’ (1958) pt. 3, ch. 6

7.32 Daniel George (Daniel George Bunting)

O Freedom, what liberties are taken in thy name!

‘The Perpetual Pessimist’ (1963) p. 58.

7.33 Lloyd George

See David Lloyd George (12.109)

7.34George Gershwin 1898-1937

See Ira Gershwin (7.35)

7.35Ira Gershwin 1896-1983

A foggy day in London Town Had me low and had me down.

I viewed the morning with alarm,

The British Museum had lost its charm. How long, I wondered, could this thing last? But the age of miracles hadn’t passed,

For, suddenly, I saw you there

And through foggy London town the sun was shining everywhere.

‘A Foggy Day’ (1937 song; music by George Gershwin)

Let’s call the whole thing off!

Title of song (1937)

Holding hands at midnight ‘Neath a starry sky,

Nice work if you can get it, And you can get it if you try.

‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ (1937 song; music by George Gershwin)

7.36 Edward Gibbon 1737-94

The various modes of worship, which prevailed in the Roman world, were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher, as equally false; and by the magistrate, as equally useful. And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 2

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 3

History...is, indeed, little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 3.

In every age and country, the wiser, or at least the stronger, of the two sexes, has usurped the powers of the state, and confined the other to the cares and pleasures of domestic life.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 6

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 21

In every deed of mischief he had a heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 48 (on Comenus)

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 49

Persuasion is the resource of the feeble; and the feeble can seldom persuade.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 68

All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.

‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1776-88) ch. 71

The satirist may laugh, the philosopher may preach, but Reason herself will respect the prejudices and habits which have been consecrated by the experience of mankind.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 1

To the University of Oxford I acknowledge no obligation; and she will as cheerfully renounce me for a son, as I am willing to disclaim her for a mother. I spent fourteen months at Magdalen College: they proved the fourteen months the most idle and unprofitable of my whole life.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 2

Their dull and deep potations excused the brisk intemperance of youth.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 3 (on the dons at Oxford)

Dr—well remembered that he had a salary to receive, and only forgot that he had a duty to perform.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 3

It was here that I suspended my religious inquiries (aged 17).

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 4

I saw and loved.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 4

I sighed as a lover, I obeyed as a son.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 4 n.

Crowds without company, and dissipation without pleasure.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 5

The captain of the Hampshire grenadiers...has not been useless to the historian of the Roman empire.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 5 (on his own army service)

It was at Rome, on the fifteenth of October, 1764, as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol, while the barefoot friars were singing vespers in the Temple of Jupiter, that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city first started to my mind.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 6

I will not dissemble the first emotions of joy on the recovery of my freedom, and, perhaps, the establishment of my fame. But my pride was soon humbled, and a sober melancholy was spread over my mind, by the idea that I had taken an everlasting leave of an old and agreeable companion, and that whatsoever might be the future date of my History, the life of the historian must be short and precarious.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 8 (on the completion of ‘Decline and Fall’)

My English text is chaste, and all licentious passages are left in the obscurity of a learned language.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 8 (parodied as ‘decent obscurity’ in the Anti-Jacobin, 1797-8)

The abbreviation of time, and the failure of hope, will always tinge with a browner shade the evening of life.

‘Memoirs of My Life’ (1796) ch. 8

7.37 Orlando Gibbons 1583-1625

The silver swan, who, living had no note,

When death approached unlocked her silent throat.

‘The First Set of Madrigals and Motets of Five Parts’ (1612) ‘The Silver Swan’

7.38 Stella Gibbons 1902-89

Every year, in the fulness o’ summer, when the sukebind hangs heavy from the wains...’tes the same. And when the spring comes her hour is upon her again. ‘Tes the hand of Nature and we women cannot escape it.

‘Cold Comfort Farm’ (1932) ch. 5

Something nasty in the woodshed.

‘Cold Comfort Farm’ (1932) ch. 10

By god, D. H. Lawrence was right when he had said there must be a dumb, dark, dull, bitter belly-tension between a man and a woman, and how else could this be achieved save in the long monotony of marriage?

good acts.

‘Les Caves du Vatican’ (1914) bk. 4, ch. 7

Hugo—hèlas!

Hugo—alas!

When asked who was the greatest 19th-century poet, in Claude Martin ‘La Maturitè d’Andrè Gide’ (1977) p. 502

Not enough dirt.

His comment on Switzerland (attributed)

7.43 Sir Humphrey Gilbert c.1539-83

We are as near to heaven by sea as by land!

In Richard Hakluyt ‘The Third and Last Volume of the Voyages...of the English Nation’ (1600) p. 159.

7.44 W. S. Gilbert 1836-1911

Then they began to sing That extremely lovely thing, ‘Scherzando! ma non troppo ppp.’

‘The ‘Bab’ Ballads’ (1869) ‘Story of Prince Agib’

That celebrated, Cultivated, Underrated Nobleman,

The Duke of Plaza Toro!

‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 1

Of that there is no manner of doubt— No probable, possible shadow of doubt— No possible doubt whatever.

‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 1

All shall equal be.

The Earl, the Marquis, and the Dook,

The Groom, the Butler, and the Cook, The Aristocrat who banks with Coutts, The Aristocrat who cleans the boots.

‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 1

But the privilege and pleasure That we treasure beyond measure

Is to run on little errands for the Ministers of State.

‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 2

Take a pair of sparkling eyes, Hidden, ever and anon,

In a merciful eclipse.

‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 2

Ambassadors cropped up like hay, Prime Ministers and such as they Grew like asparagus in May,

And dukes were three a penny.

‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 2

When every one is somebodee, Then no one’s anybody.

‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 2

Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes! Bow, bow, ye tradesmen, bow, ye masses.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 1

The Law is the true embodiment Of everything that’s excellent. It has no kind of fault or flaw,

And I, my Lords, embody the Law.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 1

Spurn not the nobly born With love affected,

Nor treat with virtuous scorn The well-connected.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 1

Hearts just as pure and fair May beat in Belgrave Square As in the lowly air

Of Seven Dials.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 1

I often think it’s comical

How Nature always does contrive That every boy and every gal, That’s born into the world alive, Is either a little Liberal,

Or else a little Conservative!

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

When in that House MPs divide,

If they’ve a brain and cerebellum too, They have to leave that brain outside, And vote just as their leaders tell ’em to.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

The prospect of a lot

Of dull MPs in close proximity,

All thinking for themselves is what No man can face with equanimity.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

The House of Peers, throughout the war, Did nothing in particular,

And did it very well.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

When you’re lying awake with a dismal headache, and repose is taboo’d by anxiety, I conceive you may use any language you choose to indulge in, without impropriety.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

For you dream you are crossing the Channel, and tossing about in a steamer from Harwich— Which is something between a large bathing machine and a very small second class carriage.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

And bound on that journey you find your attorney (who started that morning from Devon); He’s a bit undersized, and you don’t feel surprised when he tells you he’s only eleven.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

In your shirt and your socks (the black silk with gold clocks), crossing Salisbury Plain on a bicycle.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

The shares are a penny, and ever so many are taken by Rothschild and Baring, And just as a few are allotted to you, you awake with a shudder despairing.

‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2

A wandering minstrel I—

A thing of shreds and patches. Of ballads, songs and snatches, And dreamy lullaby!

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 1.

I can trace my ancestry back to a protoplasmal primordial atomic globule.

Consequently, my family pride is something in-conceivable. I can’t help it. I was born sneering.

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 1

As some day it may happen that a victim must be found, I’ve got a little list—I’ve got a little list

Of society offenders who might well be under ground

And who never would be missed—who never would be missed!

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 1

The idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone,

All centuries but this, and every country but his own.

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 1.

Three little maids from school are we, Pert as a schoolgirl well can be,

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 2

Something lingering, with boiling oil in it, I fancy.

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 2

The flowers that bloom in the spring, Tra la,

Have nothing to do with the case.

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 2

I’ve got to take under my wing, Tra la,

A most unattractive old thing, Tra la,

With a caricature of a face.

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 2

On a tree by a river a little tom-tit Sang ‘Willow, titwillow, titwillow!’

And I said to him, ‘Dicky-bird, why do you sit Singing Willow, titwillow, titwillow?’

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 2

‘Is it weakness of intellect, birdie?’ I cried, ‘Or a rather tough worm in your little inside?’ With a shake of his poor little head he replied, ‘Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow!’

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 2

He sobbed and he sighed, and a gurgle he gave, Then he plunged himself into the billowy wave, And an echo arose from the suicide’s grave— ‘Oh willow, titwillow, titwillow!’

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 2

There’s a fascination frantic In a ruin that’s romantic;

Do you think you are sufficiently decayed?

‘The Mikado’ (1885) act 2

If you’re anxious for to shine in the high aesthetic line as a man of culture rare.

‘Patience’ (1881) act 1

You must lie upon the daisies and discourse in novel phrases of your complicated state of mind, The meaning doesn’t matter if it’s only idle chatter of a transcendental kind.

‘Patience’ (1881) act 1

Then a sentimental passion of a vegetable fashion must excite your languid spleen, An attachment á la Plato for a bashful young potato, or a not too French French bean!

Though the Philistines may jostle, you will rank as an apostle in the high aesthetic band,

If you walk down Piccadilly with a poppy or a lily in your medieval hand.

‘Patience’ (1881) act 1

While this magnetic, Peripatetic

Lover, he lived to learn, By no endeavour

Can magnet ever Attract a Silver Churn!

‘Patience’ (1881) act 2

‘High diddle diddle’ Will rank as an idyll, If I pronounce it chaste!

‘Patience’ (1881) act 2

Francesca di Rimini, miminy, piminy, Je-ne-sais-quoi young man!

‘Patience’ (1881) act 2

A greenery-yallery, Grosvenor Galley, Foot-in-the-grave young man!

‘Patience’ (1881) act 2

I’m called Little Buttercup—dear Little Buttercup, Though I could never tell why.

‘H. M. S. Pinafore’ (1878) act 1

Though ‘Bother it’ I may Occasionally say,

I never use a big, big D—

‘H. M. S. Pinafore’ (1878) act 1

And so do his sisters, and his cousins and his aunts! His sisters and his cousins,

Whom he reckons up by dozens, And his aunts!

‘H. M. S. Pinafore’ (1878) act 1

When I was a lad I served a term As office boy to an Attorney’s firm.

I cleaned the windows and I swept the floor,

And I polished up the handle of the big front door. I polished up that handle so carefullee

That now I am the Ruler of the Queen’s Navee!

‘H. M. S. Pinafore’ (1878) act 1

I always voted at my party’s call,

And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.