The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

11.62 William Whewell 1794-1866
Hence no force however great can stretch a cord however fine into an horizontal line which is
accurately straight: there will always be a bending downwards.
‘Elementary Treatise on Mechanics’ (1819) ch. 4, problem 2. Often cited as an example of accidental metre
and rhyme, and changed in later editions.
11.63 James Mcneill Whistler 1834-1903
I am not arguing with you—I am telling you.
‘The Gentle Art of Making Enemies’ (1890)
Art is upon the Town!
‘Ten O’Clock’ (1885)
Listen! There never was an artistic period. There never was an Art-loving nation.
‘Ten O’Clock’ (1885)
Nature is usually wrong.
‘Ten O’Clock’ (1885)
‘I only know of two painters in the world,’ said a newly introduced feminine enthusiast to
Whistler, ‘yourself and Velasquez.’ ‘Why,’ answered Whistler in dulcet tones, ‘why drag in
Velasquez?’
In D. C. Seitz ‘Whistler Stories’ (1913) p. 27
[In answer to a lady who said that a landscape reminded her of his work] Yes madam, Nature
is creeping up.
In D. C. Seitz ‘Whistler Stories’ (1913) p. 9
[In answer to the question ‘For two days’ labour, you ask two hundred guineas?’] No, I ask it
for the knowledge of a lifetime.
In D. C. Seitz ‘Whistler Stories’ (1913) p. 40
You shouldn’t say it is not good. You should say you do not like it; and then, you know, you’re
perfectly safe.
In D. C. Seitz ‘Whistler Stories’ (1913) p. 35
[Answering Oscar Wilde’s ‘I wish I had said that’] You will, Oscar, you will.
L. C. Ingleby ‘Oscar Wilde’ p. 67
11.64 E. B. White 1899-1985
Commuter—one who spends his life
In riding to and from his wife;
A man who shaves and takes a train,
And then rides back to shave again.
‘The Commuter’
Mother: It’s broccoli, dear.
Child: I say it’s spinach, and I say the hell with it.
‘New Yorker’ 8 December 1928 (cartoon caption)