Archive

Quotes

“Abroad,” that large home of ruined reputations.

—George Eliot, 1866

Other nations use “force”; we Britons alone use “might.”

—Evelyn Waugh, 1938

When the missionaries first came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said, “Let us pray.” We closed our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible and they had the land.

—Desmond Tutu, 1984

Some of us would be greatly astonished to learn the reasons why others respect us.

—Marquis de Vauvenargues, 1746

Once any group in society stands in a relatively deprived position in relation to other groups, it is genuinely deprived.

—Margaret Mead, 1972

The less intelligent the white man is, the more stupid he thinks the black.

—André Gide, 1927

Many need no other provocation to enmity than that they find themselves excelled.

—Samuel Johnson, 1751

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

—Confucius, c. 500 BC

I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.

—Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1940

Who sees all beings in his own self, and his own self in all beings, loses all fear.

—The Upanishads, c. 800 BC

One of the most time-consuming things is to have an enemy.

—E.B. White, 1958

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

—Hebrews, c. 60

A criminal may improve and become a decent member of society. A foreigner cannot improve. Once a foreigner, always a foreigner. There is no way out for him.

—George Mikes, 1946