Source: The Probability Pad (1970), Chapter 2 (p. 12)
Speech on the anniversary of the Granma landing (2 December 1961)
“If pauses can be pregnant, this one’s on the run from a fertility clinic.”
Source: The Laundry Files, The Annihilation Score (2015), Chapter 5, “The Office” (p. 89)
yes - but it seems to me that we see more and more that we are not good, no more than the world in general, of which we are an atom - and the world no more good than we are. One may try one's best, or act carelessly, the result is always different from what one really wanted. But whether the result be better or worse, fortunate or unfortunate, it is better to do something than to do nothing. If only one is wary of becoming a prim, self-righteous prig - as Uncle Vincent calls it - one may be even as good as one likes.
In his letter to Theo, from Nuenen, c. 9 March 1884, http://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/14/359.htm
1880s, 1884
Describing the scene at Conservative central office after winning the 1970 general election.[citation needed]
Leader of the Opposition
“That's certainly one point of view. Quite understandable.”
" In The Year 200 B.C. http://cavafis.compupress.gr/kave_1.htm" (1931)
Context: The Spartans weren't to be led
and ordered around
like precious servants. Besides,
they wouldn't have thought a pan-Hellenic expedition
without a Spartan king in command
was to be taken very seriously.
Of course, then, "except the Lacedaimonians." That's certainly one point of view. Quite understandable.
The Other World (1657)
