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Clever jabs

277 quotes from 161 people

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I am obliged to confess I should sooner live in a society governed by the first two thousand names in the Boston telephone directory than in a society governed by the two thousand faculty members of Harvard University.
William F. Buckley Jr.1925–20081963 statement, as quoted in Ralph Keyes, The Quote Verifier (2006), p. 82
- Government
The writers against religion, whilst they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set up any of their own.
Edmund Burke1729–1797A Vindication of Natural Society (1756), Preface
- Religion
The mark of a basic shit is that he has to be right.
William S. Burroughs1914–1997The Place Of Dead Roads‎ (1983), p. 155
- Character
Some folks look at me and see swagger, which in Texas is called ‘walking’.
George W. Bushborn 1946Speech accepting the Republican nomination for President in New York City (September 2004)
A man must serve his time to every trade
Save censure — critics are ready-made.
Lord Byron1788–1824English Bards and Scotch Reviewers (1809), Line 63.
And Coleridge too has lately taken wing,
But like a hawk encumbered with his hood,
Explaining metaphysics to the nation.
I wish he would explain his explanation.
Lord Byron1788–1824Don Juan (1819–1824), DedicationIn context
“O Tiger-lily,” said Alice, addressing herself to one that was waving gracefully about in the wind, “I wish you could talk!”
“We can talk,” said the Tiger-lily: “when there’s anybody worth talking to.”
Lewis Carroll1832–1898Through the Looking-Glass (1871), Chapter IIIn context
- Talking
“Speak English!” said the Eaglet. “I don’t know the meaning of half those long words, and, what’s more, I don’t believe you do either!”
Lewis Carroll1832–1898Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865), Chapter IIIIn context
- Talking
“You’re nothing but a pack of cards!”
Lewis Carroll1832–1898Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865), Chapter XIIIn context
You don’t have to be smart to act — look at the outgoing president of the United States.
Cherborn 1946Remark (December 1988), reported in Brewer’s Cinema (1995)
- Acting
- Presidency
The rich are the scum of the earth in every country.
G. K. Chesterton1874–1936The Flying Inn (1914), Ch. XV: “The Songs of the Car Club”
- Money
The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected.
G. K. Chesterton1874–1936In The Illustrated London News (1924)
- Politics
It is incomprehensible to me that any thinker can calmly call himself a modernist; he might as well call himself a Thursdayite.
G. K. Chesterton1874–1936All Things Considered (1908)
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.
Winston Churchill1874–1965
He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.
Winston Churchill1874–1965