The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

distraction.
In George Plimpton ‘Writers at Work’ (1967) 3rd series, p. 190
2.79 Pierre-Laurent Buirette du Belloy 1725-75
Plus je vis d’ètrangers, plus j’aimai ma patrie.
The more foreigners I saw, the more I loved my homeland.
‘Le Siége de Calais’ (1765) act 2, sc. 3
2.80 Robert Benchley 1889-1945
My only solution for the problem of habitual accidents...is to stay in bed all day. Even then,
there is always the chance that you will fall out.
‘Safety Second’ in ‘Chips off the old Benchley’ (1949)
In America there are two classes of travel—first class, and with children.
‘Pluck and Luck’ (1925) p. 6
Daddy sat up very late working on a case of Scotch.
‘Pluck and Luck’ (1925) p. 198
It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up
because by that time I was too famous.
In Nathaniel Benchley ‘Robert Benchley’ (1955) ch. 1
‘Streets flooded. Please advise.’
Telegraph message on arriving in Venice, in R. E. Drennan (ed.) ‘Wits End’ (1973) ‘Robert Benchley’
2.81 Julien Benda 1867-1956
La trahison des clercs.
The treachery of the intellectuals.
Title of book (1927)
2.82 Stephen Vincent Benèt 1898-1943
I have fallen in love with American names,
The sharp, gaunt names that never get fat,
The snakeskin-titles of mining-claims,
The plumed war-bonnet of Medicine Hat,
Tucson and Deadwood and Lost Mule Flat.
‘American Names’ (1927)
I shall not rest quiet in Montparnasse.
I shall not lie easy at Winchelsea.
You may bury my body in Sussex grass,
You may bury my tongue at Champmèdy.
I shall not be there, I shall rise and pass.
Bury my heart at Wounded Knee.