The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (346 page)

1
Things ain't what they used to be.

title of song (1941)

 
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Pétain, Henri Philippe
1856–1951

1
To write one's memoirs is to speak ill of everybody except oneself.

in
Observer
26 May 1946

 
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Peter, Laurence J.
1919–90

1
In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.

The Peter Principle
(1969) ch. 1

 
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Petronius
Arbiter d.
ad
65

1
Cave canem.Beware of the dog.

Satyricon
"Cena Trimalchionis" ch. 29

2
Abiit ad plures.He's gone to join the majority.
meaning the dead

Satyricon
"Cena Trimalchionis" ch. 42.

3
Nam Sibyllam quidem Cumis ego ipse oculis meis vidi in ampulla pendere, et cum illi pueri dicerent: respondebat illa: I myself with my own eyes saw the Sibyl at Cumae hanging in a flask; and when the boys cried at her: " Sibyl, Sibyl, what do you want?" "I would that I were dead," she used to answer.

Satyricon
"Cena Trimalchionis" ch. 48, sect. 8.

 
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Phelps, Edward John
1822–1900

1
The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.

speech at the Mansion House, London, 24 January 1889

 
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Philby, Kim
1912–88

1
To betray, you must first belong.

in
Sunday Times
17 December 1967

 
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Philip, Prince
, Duke of Edinburgh 1921–

1
Gentlemen, I think it is about time we "pulled our fingers out"…If we want to be more prosperous we've simply got to get down to it and work for it. The rest of the world does not owe us a living.

speech in London, 17 October 1961

 
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