The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (337 page)

Packard, Vance
1914–97

1
The hidden persuaders.

title of a study of the advertising industry (1957)

 
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Paget, Lord George
1818–80

1
As far as it engendered excitement the finest run in Leicestershire could hardly bear comparison.
the second-in-command's view of the charge of the Light Brigade

The Light Cavalry Brigade in the Crimea
(1881) ch. 5

 
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Paglia, Camille
1947–

1
There is no female Mozart because there is no female Jack the Ripper.

in
International Herald Tribune
26 April 1991

 
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Paine, Thomas
1737–1809

1
The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime, makes the ridiculous; and one step above the ridiculous, makes the sublime again.

The Age of Reason
pt. 2 (1795).

2
Though we have been wise enough to shut and lock a door against absolute Monarchy, we at the same time have been foolish enough to put the crown in possession of the key.

Common Sense
(1776) ch. 1

3
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it
now
, deserves the love and thanks of men and women.

The Crisis
(December 1776) introduction

4
The religion of humanity.

The Crisis
(November 1778)

5
As he rose like a rocket, he fell like the stick.
on Edmund Burke's losing the debate on the French Revolution to Charles James Fox, in the House of Commons

Letter to the Addressers on the late Proclamation
(1792)

6
Lay then the axe to the root, and teach governments humanity. It is their sanguinary punishments which corrupt mankind.

The Rights of Man
(1791)

7
The idea of hereditary legislators is as inconsistent as that of hereditary judges, or hereditary juries; and as absurd as an hereditary mathematician, or an hereditary wise man; and as ridiculous as an hereditary poet laureate.

The Rights of Man
(1791)

8
I compare it to something kept behind a curtain, about which there is a great deal of bustle and fuss, and a wonderful air of seeming solemnity; but when, by any accident, the curtain happens to be open, and the company see what it is, they burst into laughter.
of monarchy

The Rights of Man
pt. 2 (1792)

9
The Minister, whoever he at any time may be, touches it as with an opium wand, and it sleeps obedience.
of Parliament

The Rights of Man
pt. 2 (1792)

10
When, in countries that are called civilized, we see age going to the workhouse and youth to the gallows, something must be wrong in the system of government.

The Rights of Man
pt. 2 (1792)

11
My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.

The Rights of Man
pt. 2 (1792)

12
A share in two revolutions is living to some purpose.

Eric Foner
Tom Paine and Revolutionary America
(1976) ch. 7

 
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Paisley, Ian
1926–

1
The mother of all treachery.
on the Good Friday agreement

in
Times
16 April 1998

 
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