Quotes Library

April 16, 2025

To knock a thing down, especially if it is cocked at an arrogant angle, is a deep delight of the blood.

George Santayana, 1863-1962, Spanish-born American philosopher, The Portable Curmudgeon, Jon Winokur, ed. (New York: 1987), p.8

Which things, cocked at the angle here specified, would you most enjoy knocking down?

The watchword is caution! If possible, leave no fingerprints. The depth of delight is doubled if the knocked-down party knows not whom to blame!


More Quotes

April 6, 2025
01:06
In the end we are all sacked and it’s always awful. It is as inevitable as death following life.
March 24, 2025
[Of Winston Churchill] He is a terrible burden for any Govt. to carry—someone said of [his father] Randolph Churchill
July 8, 2025
…see how sensitive the citizens become: they chafe impatiently at the least touch of authority and at length
Page 121 of 125