The Oxford dictionary of modern quotations (66 page)

A girl whose cheeks are covered with paint

Has an advantage with me over one whose ain't.

Hard Lines (1931) "Biological Reflection"

Candy

Is dandy

But liquor

Is quicker.

Hard Lines (1931) "Reflections on Ice-breaking"

The turtle lives 'twixt plated decks

Which practically conceal its sex.

I think it clever of the turtle

In such a fix to be so fertile.

Hard Lines (1931) "Autres B�tes, Autres Moeurs"

Let us pause to consider the English,

Who when they pause to consider themselves they get all reticently

thrilled and tinglish,

Because every Englishman is convinced of one thing, viz.:

That to be an Englishman is to belong to the most exclusive club there

is.

I'm a Stranger Here Myself (1938) "England Expects"

There was a young belle of old Natchez

Whose garments were always in patchez.

When comment arose

On the state of her clothes,

She drawled, When Ah itchez, Ah scratchez.

I'm a Stranger Here Myself (1938) "Requiem"

Home is heaven and orgies are vile,

But you need an orgy, once in a while.

Primrose Path (1935) "Home, 99 44/100 % Sweet Home"

He tells you when you've got on too much lipstick,

And helps you with your girdle when your hips stick.

Versus (1949) "The Perfect Husband"

14.6 George Jean Nathan =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1882-1958

The test of a real comedian is whether you laugh at him before he opens

his mouth.

American Mercury Sept. 1929

14.7 Terry Nation =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Exterminate! Exterminate!

Said by the Daleks in BBC television series Dr Who from Dec. 1963, in

David Whitaker and Terry Nation Dr Who (1964) ch. 9

14.8 James Ball Naylor =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1860-1945

King David and King Solomon

Led merry, merry lives,

With many, many lady friends,

And many, many wives;

But when old age crept over them--

With many, many qualms!--

King Solomon wrote the Proverbs

And King David wrote the Psalms.

Vagrant Verse (1935) "King David and King Solomon"

14.9 Jawaharlal Nehru =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1889-1964

Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives and there is

darkness everywhere. I do not know what to tell you and how to say it. Our

beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the father of the nation, is no

more.

Broadcast, 30 Jan. 1948 (after Gandhi's assassination), in Richard J.

Walsh Nehru on Gandhi (1948) ch. 6

Democracy and socialism are means to an end, not the end itself.

"Basic Approach," repr. in Vincent Shean Nehru: the Years of Power (1960)

p. 294

Normally speaking, it may be said that the forces of a capitalist society,

if left unchecked, tend to make the rich richer and the poor poorer and

thus increase the gap between them.

"Basic Approach," repr. in Vincent Shean Nehru: the Years of Power (1960)

p. 295

14.10 Allan Nevins =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1890-1971

The former Allies had blundered in the past by offering Germany too

little, and offering even that too late, until finally Nazi Germany had

become a menace to all mankind.

In Current History (New York) May 1935, p. 178

14.11 Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Anthony Newley 1931-

Leslie Bricusse 1931-

Stop the world, I want to get off.

Title of musical (1961)

14.12 Huey Newton =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1942-

I suggested [in 1966] that we use the panther as our symbol and call our

political vehicle the Black Panther Party. The panther is a fierce animal,

but he will not attack until he is backed into a corner; then he will

strike out.

Revolutionary Suicide (1973) ch. 16

14.13 Vivian Nicholson =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1936-

I want to spend, and spend, and spend.

Said to reporters on arriving to collect her husband's football pools

winnings of �152,000, in Daily Herald 28 Sept. 1961

14.14 Sir Harold Nicolson =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1886-1968

Chamberlain (who has the mind and manner of a clothes-brush) aims only at

assuring temporary peace at the price of ultimate defeat.

Diary 6 June 1938, in Diaries and Letters (1966) p. 345

Attlee is a charming and intelligent man, but as a public speaker he is,

compared to Winston [Churchill], like a village fiddler after Paganini.

Diary 10 Nov. 1947, in Diaries and Letters (1968) p. 113

14.15 Reinhold Niebuhr =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1892-1971

Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination

to injustice makes democracy necessary.

Children of Light and Children of Darkness (1944) foreword

God, give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed;

Give us the courage to change what should be changed;

Give us the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.

In Richard Wightman Fox Reinhold Niebuhr (1985) ch. 12 (prayer said to

have been first published in 1951)

14.16 Carl Nielsen =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1865-1931

Musik er liv, som dette und slukkelig.

Music is life, and like it is inextinguishable.

4th Symphony ("The Inextinguishable," 1916) preface

14.17 Martin Niem�ller =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1892-1984

When Hitler attacked the Jews I was not a Jew, therefore, I was not

concerned. And when Hitler attacked the Catholics, I was not a Catholic,

and therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the unions

and the industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not

concerned. Then, Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church--and there

was nobody left to be concerned.

In Congressional Record 14 Oct. 1968, p. 31636

14.18 Florence Nightingale =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1820-1910

On December 5 [1907], Sir Douglas Dawson...brought the Order [of

Merit]...to South Street. Miss Nightingale understood that some kindness

had been done to her, but hardly more. "Too kind, too kind," she said.

E. Cook Life of Florence Nightingale (1913) vol. 2, pt. 7, ch. 9

14.19 Richard Milhous Nixon =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1913-

When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.

In David Frost I Gave Them a Sword (1978) ch. 8

I brought myself down. I gave them a sword. And they stuck it in. And they

twisted it with relish. And, I guess, if I'd been in their position, I'd

have done the same thing.

Television interview with David Frost, 19 May 1977, in David Frost I Gave

Them a Sword (1978) ch. 10

I leave you gentlemen now and you will now write it. You will interpret

it. That's your right. But as I leave you I want you to know--just think

how much you're going to be missing. You won't have Nixon to kick around

any more because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference....I hope

that what I have said today will at least make television, radio, the

press first recognize the great responsibility they have to report all the

news and, second, recognize that they have a right and a responsibility,

if they're against a candidate, to give him the shaft, but also recognize

if they give him the shaft, put one lonely reporter on the campaign who

will report what the candidate says now and then. Thank you gentlemen, and

good day.

After losing the election for Governor of California, 5 Nov. 1962, in New

York Times 8 Nov. 1962, p. 8

Let us begin by committing ourselves to the truth, to see it like it is

and tell it like it is, to find the truth, to speak the truth and to live

the truth. That's what we will do.

Nomination acceptance speech, Miami, 8 Aug. 1968, in New York Times 9 Aug.

1968, p. 20

Hello, Neil and Buzz. I'm talking to you by telephone from the Oval Room

at the White House, and this certainly has to be the most historic

telephone call ever made.

Speaking to the first men to land on the moon, 20 July 1969, in New York

Times 21 July 1969, p. 2

This is the greatest week in the history of the world since the Creation.

Speech 24 July 1969, welcoming the return of the first men to land on the

moon, in New York Times 25 July 1969, p. 29

There can be no whitewash at the White House.

Television speech on Watergate, 30 Apr. 1973, in New York Times 1 May

1973, p. 31

I made my mistakes, but in all my years of public life, I have never

profited, never profited from public service. I've earned every cent. And

in all of my years in public life I have never obstructed justice. And

I think, too, that I can say that in my years of public life that

I welcome this kind of examination because people have got to know whether

or not their President is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook. I've earned

everything I've got.

Speech at press conference, 17 Nov. 1973, in New York Times 18 Nov. 1973,

p. 62

This country needs good farmers, good businessmen, good plumbers, good

carpenters.

Farewell address at White House, 9 Aug. 1974, cited in New York Times

10 Aug. 1974, p. 4

Pat and I have the satisfaction that every dime that we've got is honestly

ours. I should say this--that Pat doesn't have a mink coat. But she does

have a respectable Republican cloth coat. And I always tell her that

she'd look good in anything. One other thing I probably should tell you,

because if I don't they'll probably be saying this about me too, we did

get something--a gift--after the election....It was a little

cocker-spaniel dog....And our little girl--Tricia, the 6-year-old--named

it Checkers. And you know the kids love that dog and I just want to say

this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we're going to

keep it.

Speech on television, 23 Sept. 1952, in P. Andrews This Man Nixon (1952)

p. 60

14.20 David Nobbs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"This one's going to be a real winner," said C. J. "I didn't get where

I am today without knowing a real winner when I see one."

Death of Reginald Perrin (1975) p. 9 (subsequently a catch-phrase in BBC

television series The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin , 1976-80)

14.21 Milton Nobles =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1847-1924

The villain still pursued her.

Phoenix (1900) act 1, sc. 3

14.22 Albert J. Nock =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1873-1945

It is an economic axiom as old as the hills that goods and services can be

paid for only with goods and services.

Memoirs of a Superfluous Man (1943) ch. 13

14.23 Frank Norman and Lionel Bart =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Frank Norman 1931-

Lionel Bart 1930-

Fings ain't wot they used t'be.

Title of musical (1959). Cf. Ted Persons 170:9

14.24 Lord Northcliffe (Alfred Charles William Harmsworth, Viscount Northcliffe) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1865-1922

Harmsworth had always said: "When I want a peerage, I shall buy it like an

honest man."

Tom Driberg Swaff: the Life and Times of Hannen Swaffer (1974) ch. 2

14.25 Jack Norworth =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1879-1959

Oh, shine on, shine on, harvest moon

Up in the sky.

I ain't had no lovin'

Since April, January, June, or July.

Shine On, Harvest Moon (1908 song; music by Nora Bayes-Norworth)

Take me out to the ball game.

Title of song (1908; music by Albert Von Tilzer)

14.26 Alfred Noyes =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1880-1958

Go down to Kew in lilac-time, in lilac-time, in lilac-time,

Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London!)

And you shall wander hand in hand with love in summer's wonderland;

Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London!)

Poems (1904) "The Barrel-Organ"

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,

The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,

And the highwayman came riding-Riding-riding-

The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

Forty Singing Seamen and Other Poems (1907) "The Highwayman"