Quotes

Subserviency to British criticism

There is not a more disgusting spectacle under the sun than our subserviency to British criticism. It is disgusting, first,…

12 years ago

Too clever by half

Only in Britain could it be thought a defect to be "too clever by half." The probability is that too…

12 years ago

Blatant and bumptious

To many, no doubt, he will seem to be somewhat blatant and bumptious, but we prefer to regard him as…

12 years ago

The British are a self-distrustful, diffident people

The British are a self-distrustful, diffident people, agreeing with alacrity that they are neither successful nor clever, and only modestly…

12 years ago

Live by non-intellectual standards

Of the general inadequacy of intellect in the conduct of life Britain is the most majestic exponent. She is instinctively…

12 years ago

What two ideas are more inseparable than beer and Britannia?

What two ideas are more inseparable than beer and Britannia? Sydney Smith (1771-1845), English clergyman, writer. Quoted in: Hesketh Pearson,…

12 years ago

The British tourist is always happy abroad as long as the natives are waiters

The British tourist is always happy abroad as long as the natives are waiters. Robert Morley (b. 1908), British actor.…

12 years ago

A man can say anything, he mustn’t do anything

Here we have the beautiful British compromise: a man can say anything, he mustn't do anything; a man can listen…

12 years ago

There is a marvellous turn and trick to British arrogance

There is a marvellous turn and trick to British arrogance; its apparent unconsciousness makes it twice as effectual. Catherine Drinker…

12 years ago

British face from which emotion has been so carefully banished

His face was the sort of British face from which emotion has been so carefully banished that a foreigner is…

12 years ago