Some things are privileged from jest—namely, religion, matters of state, great persons, all men’s present business of importance, and any case that deserves pity.
—Francis Bacon, 1597
Archive
Quotes
I am sick and tired of publicity. I want no more of it. It puts me in a bad light. I just want to be forgotten.
—Al Capone, 1929Hatred of domestic work is a natural and admirable result of civilization.
—Rebecca West, 1912Never make a defense or apology before you be accused.
—Charles I, 1636I’ve been on a calendar, but never on time.
—Marilyn Monroe, 1962Casting lots causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart.
—Book of Proverbs, c. 350 BCThere’s plenty of fire in the coldest flint!
—Rachel Field, 1939An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.
—James Russell Lowell, c. 1865Because the newer methods of treatment are good, it does not follow that the old ones were bad: for if our honorable and worshipful ancestors had not recovered from their ailments, you and I would not be here today.
—Confucius, c. 515 BCThe wonderful sea charmed me from the first.
—Joshua Slocum, 1900When the stomach is full, it is easy to talk of fasting.
—St. Jerome, 395I think that to get under the surface and really appreciate the beauty of any country, one has to go there poor.
—Grace Moore, 1944Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men, but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass.
—Joseph Addison, 1711