The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Phrased used repeatedly in speeches in 1910, referring to the rumour that the House of Lords was to be
flooded with new Liberal peers to ensure the passage of the Finance Bill. Roy Jenkins ‘Asquith’ (1964) ch. 14
We shall never sheath the sword which we have not lightly drawn until Belgium recovers in
full measure all and more than all that she has sacrificed, until France is adequately secured
against the menace of aggression, until the rights of the smaller nationalities of Europe are placed
upon an unassailable foundation, and until the military domination of Prussia is wholly and
finally destroyed.
Speech at the Guildhall, London, 9 November 1914, in ‘The Times’ 10 November 1914
It is fitting that we should have buried the Unknown Prime Minister by the side of the
Unknown Soldier.
Referring to Bonar Law, in Robert Blake ‘The Unknown Prime Minister’ (1955) p. 531
[The War Office kept three sets of figures:] one to mislead the public, another to mislead the
Cabinet, and the third to mislead itself.
In Alistair Horne ‘Price of Glory’ (1962) ch. 2
1.106 Margot Asquith (Countess of Oxford and Asquith) 1864-1945
The t is silent, as in Harlow.
To Jean Harlow, who had been calling her Margot (as in argot), in T. S. Matthews ‘Great Tom’ (1973) ch. 7
Lord Birkenhead is very clever but sometimes his brains go to his head.
In ‘Listener’ 11 June 1953 ‘Margot Oxford’ by Lady Violet Bonham Carter
She tells enough white lies to ice a wedding cake.
Referring to Lady Desborough, in ‘Listener’ 11 June 1953 ‘Margot Oxford’ by Lady Violet Bonham Carter
He can’t see a belt without hitting below it.
Referring to Lloyd George, in ‘Listener’ 11 June 1953 ‘Margot Oxford’ by
Lady Violet Bonham Carter
1.107 Mary Astell 1668-1731
Their sophistry I can control
Who falsely say that women have no soul.
‘Ambition’ l. 7
Happy am I who out of danger sit,
Can see and pity them who wade thro it;
Need take no thought my treasure to dispose,
What I ne’re had I cannot fear to lose.
‘Awake my Lute’ l. 18
Our opposers usually miscall our quickness of thought, fancy and flash, and christen their own
heaviness by the specious names of judgement and solidity; but it is easy to retort upon them the
reproachful ones of dullness and stupidity.
‘An Essay in Defence of the Female Sex’ (1696) p. 19
Fetters of gold are still fetters, and the softest lining can never make them so easy as liberty.
‘An Essay in Defence of the Female Sex’ (1696) p. 25