Quotes Archive

There is not a more disgusting spectacle under the sun than our subserviency to British criticism. It is disgusting, first, because it is truckling, servile, pusillanimous — secondly, because of its gross irrationality. We know the British to bear us little but ill will— we know that, in no case do they

Only in Britain could it be thought a defect to be “too clever by half.” The probability is that too many people are too stupid by three-quarters. John Major (b. 1943), British Conservative politician, prime minister. Quoted in: Observer (London, 7 July 1991). Favorite0

To many, no doubt, he will seem to be somewhat blatant and bumptious, but we prefer to regard him as being simply British. Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), Anglo-Irish playwright, author. Book review, Pall Mall Gazette (London, 1 8 Nov. 1 886). Favorite0

The British are a self-distrustful, diffident people, agreeing with alacrity that they are neither successful nor clever, and only modestly claiming that they have a keener sense of humour, more robust common sense, and greater staying power as a nation than all the rest of the world put together. Quoted in: Fourth

Of the general inadequacy of intellect in the conduct of life Britain is the most majestic exponent. She is instinctively disliked by such people as French, Persians, Hindus, who are clever by nature, and think that intellect can rule. The Italians strayed down this path and disliked us too. But they, and

What two ideas are more inseparable than beer and Britannia? Sydney Smith (1771-1845), English clergyman, writer. Quoted in: Hesketh Pearson, The Smith of Smiths, ch. 1 1 (1934). Favorite0

The British tourist is always happy abroad as long as the natives are waiters. Robert Morley (b. 1908), British actor. Quoted in: Observer (London, 20 April 1958). Favorite0

Here we have the beautiful British compromise: a man can say anything, he mustn’t do anything; a man can listen to anything, but he mustn’t be roused to do anything. By freedom of speech is meant freedom to talk about; speech is not saying-as-an-action. Paul Goodman (191 1-72), U.S. literary author, critic.

There is a marvellous turn and trick to British arrogance; its apparent unconsciousness makes it twice as effectual. Catherine Drinker Bowen (1897-1973), U.S. author. Adventures of a Biographer, ch. 14 (1946). Favorite0

His face was the sort of British face from which emotion has been so carefully banished that a foreigner is apt to think the wearer of the face incapable of any sort of feeling; the kind of face which, if it has any expression at all, expresses principally the resolution to go