Archive

Quotes

Who draws his sword against his prince must throw away the scabbard.

—James Howell, 1659

We are as near to heaven by sea as by land!

—Humphrey Gilbert, 1583

Nothing but a permanent body can check the imprudence of democracy.

—Alexander Hamilton, 1787

A maid that laughs is half taken.

—John Ray, 1670

In the past, men created witches; now they create mental patients.

—Thomas Szasz, 1970

Infectious disease is one of the few genuine adventures left in the world.

—Hans Zinsser, 1935

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.

—Abraham Lincoln, c. 1858

The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.

—John Nance Garner, c. 1967

People who’ve drunk neat wine don’t care a damn.

—Hipponax, c. 550 BC

It is hard when nature does not respect your intentions, and she never does exactly respect them.

—Wendell Berry, 1985

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

It is remarkable that only small birds properly sing.

—Charles Darwin, 1871

Laughter almost ever cometh of things most disproportioned to ourselves and nature. Laughter hath only a scornful tickling.

—Philip Sidney, 1582