
No. 388
Characteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld's Maxims (1823)
After 50 years what democracy is this?
No. 388
Characteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld's Maxims (1823)
“The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power.”
Essex's Device (1595)
“The absence of a monument can, in its own way, be something of a monument also.”
Source: This Immortal (1965), p. 60
In response to talk of demolishing Libby Prison. In Richmond, Virginia (April 4, 1865), as quoted in Incidents and Anecdotes of the Civil War https://archive.org/download/incidentsanecdot00port/incidentsanecdot00port.pdf (1885), by David Dixon Porter, p. 299
1860s, Tour of Richmond (1865)
“What the masses want are monuments.”
Quoted in We need politically incorrect mayors by Victor Schukov http://westislandgazette.com/victorschukov/26987, West Island Gazette, Saturday, December 3, 2011
Source: 1880s, Incidents and Anecdotes of the Civil War (1885), p. 296
Context: He did not say a monument to what, but he meant, I am sure, to leave it as a monument to the loyalty of our soldiers, who would bear all the horrors of Libby sooner than desert their flag and cause. We struggled on, the great crowd preceding us, and an equally dense crowd of blacks following on behind all so packed together that some of them frequently sang out in pain.
As quoted in "Some day my plinth will come" by Lynn Barber in The Guardian (27 May 2001) http://observer.guardian.co.uk/life/story/0,6903,497037,00.html
Statement accepting the Screen Actors Guild Achievement Award, read by Julia Roberts, because of Audrey's failing health. (January 1993)
Context: I am more than ever awed and overwhelmed by the monumental talents it was my great, great privilege to work for and with. There is therefore no way I can thank you for this beautiful award without thanking all of them, because it is they who helped and honed, triggered and taught, pushed and pulled, dressed and photographed — and with endless patience and kindness and gentleness, guided and nurtured a totally unknown, insecure, inexperienced, skinny broad into a marketable commodity. I am proud to have been in a business that gives pleasure, creates beauty, and awakens our conscience, arouses compassion, and perhaps most importantly, gives millions a respite from our so violent world. Thank you, Screen Actors Guild and friends, for this huge honor — and for giving me this unique opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and love to all of those who have given me a career that has brought me nothing but happiness.
“Fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man.”
Quoted in 50 Military Leaders Who Changed the World (2007) by William Weir, p. 173
Unsourced variant: Fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man. Anything built by man, can be destroyed by him.
“They are their own monuments, as is this quietly thrilling sentence.”
Source: How To Write A Sentence And How To Read One (2011), Chapter 9, Last Sentences, p. 130