The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (87 page)

Butler, R. A. ("Rab")
1902–82

1
Politics is the Art of the Possible. That is what these pages show I have tried to achieve—not more—and that is what I have called my book.

The Art of the Possible
(1971).

2
In politics you must always keep running with the pack. The moment that you falter and they sense that you are injured, the rest will turn on you like wolves.

Dennis Walters
Not Always with the Pack
(1989)

 
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Butler, Samuel
1612–80

1
For rhyme the rudder is of verses,
With which like ships they steer their courses.

Hudibras
pt. 1 (1663), canto 1, l. 457

2
Love is a boy, by poets styled,
Then spare the rod, and spoil the child.

Hudibras
pt. 2 (1664), canto 1, l. 843

3
He that complies against his will,
Is of his own opinion still.

Hudibras
pt. 3 (1680), canto 3, l. 547

4
For Justice, though she's painted blind,
Is to the weaker side inclined.

Hudibras
pt. 3 (1680), canto 3, l. 709

 
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Butler, Samuel
1835–1902

1
The best liar is he who makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest way.

The Way of All Flesh
(1903) ch. 39

2
It was very good of God to let Carlyle and Mrs Carlyle marry one another and so make only two people miserable instead of four.

letter, 21 November 1884

3
An apology for the Devil: It must be remembered that we have only heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.

Notebooks
(1912) ch. 14

4
A definition is the enclosing a wilderness of idea within a wall of words.

Notebooks
(1912) ch. 14

5
Jesus! with all thy faults I love thee still.

Further Extracts from Notebooks
(1934)

6
Dusty, cobweb-covered, maimed, and set at naught,
Beauty crieth in an attic, and no man regardeth.
O God! O Montreal!

"Psalm of Montreal", in
Spectator
18 May 1878

 
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Butler, William
1535–1618

1
Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did.
of the strawberry

Izaak Walton
The Compleat Angler
(3rd ed., 1661) pt. 1, ch. 5

 
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Byatt, A. S.
1936–

1
What literature can and should do is change the people who teach the people who don't read the books.

interview in
Newsweek
5 June 1995

 
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Byrd, William
1543–1623

1
The exercise of singing is delightful to Nature, and good to preserve the health of man. It doth strengthen all parts of the breast, and doth open the pipes.

Psalms, Sonnets and Songs
(1588)

 
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