The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (301 page)

Matlovich, Leonard
d. 1988

1
When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.

attributed

 
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Maugham, W. Somerset
1874–1965

1
The most useful thing about a principle is that it can always be sacrificed to expediency.

The Circle
(1921) act 3

2
Money is like a sixth sense without which you cannot make a complete use of the other five.

Of Human Bondage
(1915) ch. 51

3
I [Death] was astonished to see him in Baghdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.

Sheppey
(1933) act 3

4
Dying is a very dull, dreary affair. And my advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it.
to his nephew Robin, in 1965

Robin Maugham
Conversations with Willie
(1978)

 
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Mauldin, Bill
1921–

1
I feel like a fugitive from th' law of averages.

cartoon caption in
Up Front
(1945)

 
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Maxton, James
1885–1946

1
All I say is, if you cannot ride two horses you have no right in the circus.
opposing disaffiliation of the Scottish Independent Labour Party from the Labour Party; usually quoted as, "…no right in the bloody circus"

in
Daily Herald
12 January 1931

 
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Mayakovsky, Vladimir
1893–1930

1
If you wish—
…I'll be irreproachably tender;
not a man, but—a cloud in trousers!

"The Cloud in Trousers" (1915) (tr. Samuel Charteris)

2
Not a sound. The universe sleeps, resting a huge ear on its paw with mites of stars.

"The Cloud in Trousers" (1915) (tr. Samuel Charteris)

3
Oh for just
one
more conference
regarding the eradication of all conferences!

"In Re Conferences"; Herbert Marshall (ed.)
Mayakovsky
(1965)

 
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Mead, Shepherd
1914–

1
How to succeed in business without really trying.

title of book (1952)

 
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