The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (232 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
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Irving, Washington
1783–1859
1
A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

The Sketch Book
(1820) "Rip Van Winkle"

2
The almighty dollar, that great object of universal devotion.

Wolfert's Roost
(1855) "The Creole Village"

Isherwood, Christopher
1904–86
1
The common cormorant (or shag)
Lays eggs inside a paper bag,
You follow the idea, no doubt?
It's to keep the lightning out.
But what these unobservant birds
Have never thought of, is that herds
Of wandering bears might come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.

"The Common Cormorant" (written
c.
1925)

2
I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking.

Goodbye to Berlin
(1939) "Berlin Diary" Autumn 1930

Issigonis, Alec
1906–88
1
A camel is a horse designed by a committee.
on his dislike of working in teams

in
Guardian
14 January 1991 "Notes and Queries"; attributed

Izetbegovi
, Alija
1925–
1
And to my people I say, this may not be a just peace, but it is more just than a continuation of war.
after signing the Dayton accord with representatives of Serbia and Croatia

in Dayton, Ohio, 21 November 1995

J
Jackson, Andrew
1767–1845
1
Our Federal Union: it must be preserved.

toast given on the Jefferson Birthday Celebration, 13 April 1830

Jackson, Holbrook
1874–1948
1
Pedantry is the dotage of knowledge.

Anatomy of Bibliomania
(1930) vol. 1

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