insularity Archive

Britain is just a small island … no one pays any attention to them. Dmitry Peskov (allegedly) Reference Wow, what a major way to insult an ex-mighty empire! Favorite0

She is unable to sustain relationships and prizes her freedom above the collective good of the class. We encourage self-sufficiency, but your daughter [Britain] seems totally self-absorbed. Lesley White, “Riot Acts”, The Sunday Times Magazine, 21 July 1996, p. 44 Favorite0

[King Edward] was careful not to tear England violently from the splendid isolation in which she had wrapped herself. Poincaré, speech at Cannes (April 13, 1912). Favorite0

Not only England, but every Englishman is an island. [Non seulement l’Angleterre, mais chaque Anglais est une ile.] Novalis, Fragments (1799). Favorite0

Whether splendidly isolated or dangerously isolated, I will not now debate; but for my part, I think splendidly isolated, because this isolation of England comes from her superiority. Sir Wilfred Laurier, speech in the Canadian House of Assembly (Feb. 5, 1896) Favorite0

We have stood alone in that which is called isolation—our splendid isolation, as one of our Colonial friends was good enough to call it. Lord Goschen, speech at Lewes (Feb. 26, 1896). Favorite0