“Sir Plume, of amber snuff-box justly vain,
And the nice conduct of a clouded cane.”
Canto IV, line 123.
The Rape of the Lock (1712, revised 1714 and 1717)
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Alexander Pope 158
eighteenth century English poet 1688–1744Related quotes
Laconics, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919). Compare: "Like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt", Sorbienne (1610–1670); also used in Oliver Goldsmith, The Haunch of Venison.
Source: Brown, Thomas, 1663-1704. Laconics, Or, New Maxims of State And Conversation: Relating to the Affairs And Manners of the Present Times : In Three Parts. London: Printed for Thomas Hodgson ..., 1701. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015013771368?urlappend=%3Bseq=117
“It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, peace! But there is no peace.”
1770s, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" (1775)
Context: It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, peace! But there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Song lyrics, The Millennium Bell (1999)

Source: Aphorisms and Reflections (1901), p. 243

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