The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (172 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
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Franklin, Benjamin
1706–90
1
Necessity never made a good bargain.

Poor Richard's Almanac
(1735) April

2
He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

Poor Richard's Almanac
(1758) preface

3
We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.

at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776 (possibly not original)

4
There never was a good war, or a bad peace.

letter to Josiah Quincy, 11 September 1783

5
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

letter to Jean Baptiste Le Roy, 13 November 1789.

6
Man is a tool-making animal.

James Boswell
Life of Samuel Johnson
(1791) 7 April 1778

7
What is the use of a new-born child?
when asked what was the use of a new invention

J. Parton
Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin
(1864) pt. 4, ch. 17

Franks, Lord
1905–92
1
The Pentagon, that immense monument to modern man's subservience to the desk.

in
Observer
30 November 1952

Frederick the Great
1712–86
1
My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please.
his interpretation of benevolent despotism

attributed

2
Rascals, would you live for ever?
to hesitant Guards at Kolin, 18 June 1757

attributed

Freeman, E. A.
1823–92
1
History is past politics, and politics is present history.

Methods of Historical Study
(1886)

Freeth, John
c.
1731–1808
1
The loss of America what can repay?
New colonies seek for at Botany Bay.

"Botany Bay" in
New London Magazine
(1786)

French, Percy
1854–1920
1
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

"The Mountains of Mourne"

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