The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (73 page)

Braun, Werner von
1912–77

1
Basic research is what I am doing when I don't know what I am doing.

R. L. Weber
A Random Walk in Science
(1973)

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Brecht, Bertolt
1898–1956

1
The aim of science is not to open the door to infinite wisdom, but to set a limit to infinite error.

The Life of Galileo
(1939) sc. 9

2
Don't tell me peace has broken out, when I've just bought some new supplies.

Mother Courage
(1939) sc. 8

3
The resistible rise of Arturo Ui.

title of play (1941)

4
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear,
And he shows them pearly white.
Just a jackknife has Macheath, dear
And he keeps it out of sight.

The Threepenny Opera
(1928) prologue

5
What is robbing a bank compared with founding a bank?

The Threepenny Opera
(1928) act 3, sc. 3

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Brenan, Gerald
1894–1987

1
Those who have some means think that the most important thing in the world is love. The poor know that it is money.

Thoughts in a Dry Season
(1978)

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Brenner, Sydney
1927–

1
A modern computer hovers between the obsolescent and the nonexistent.

attributed in
Science
5 January 1990

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Breton, Nicholas
c.
1545–1626

1
I wish my deadly foe, no worse
Than want of friends, and empty purse.

"A Farewell to Town" (1577)

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Briand, Aristide
1862–1932

1
The high contracting powers solemnly declare…that they condemn recourse to war and renounce it…as an instrument of their national policy towards each other…The settlement or the solution of all disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be which may arise…shall never be sought by either side except by pacific means.

draft, 20 June 1927, later incorporated into the Kellogg Pact, 1928

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search