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Miscellaneous Quotations O-P

"We laugh at individuals for the silly difficulties they make to themselves, without perceiving that the greatest of all ridiculous things are acted in governments."
Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man (New York 1973, p.438).
"Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good."
Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man (New York 1973, p.465).
"I do not believe that any two men, on what are called doctrinal points, think alike who think at all. It is only those who have not thought that appear to agree."
Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man (New York 1973, pp.508/509).
"She tossed her long hair and it flapped down her back like a pirate's flag. She stood in about as awkward a manner as could be conceived. Utterly un-feminine - no man could have invented it."
Mervyn Peake, Titus Groan (London 1968, p.52).
"'He's come,' said Fuchsia in her slow voice, 'because he wants to work because he's clever, so I brought him.'
'Indeed,' said Prunesquallor. 'I have always been fascinated by those who want to work, ha ha. Most absorbing to observe them. Ha, ha, ha! most absorbing and uncanny.'"
Mervyn Peake, Titus Groan (London 1968, p.170).
"'Glorious', said Steerpike, 'is a dictionary word. We are all imprisoned by the dictionary. We choose out of that vast, paper-walled prison our convicts, the little black printed words, when in truth we need fresh sounds to utter, new enfranchised noises which would produce a new effect.'"
Mervyn Peake, Titus Groan (London 1968, p.287).
Copyright © 2005, Eva Fitz