The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat.
‘The House in Paris’ (1935) pt. 2, ch. 2
Jealousy is no more than feeling alone against smiling enemies.
‘The House in Paris’ (1935) pt. 2, ch. 8
It is not only our fate but our business to lose innocence, and once we have lost that, it is futile
to attempt a picnic in Eden.
‘Out of a Book’ in ‘Orion III’ (ed. Rosamund Lehmann et al, 1946)
A high altar on the move.
Describing Edith Sitwell, in V. Glendinning ‘Edith Sitwell’ (1981) ch. 25
2.173 David Bowie (David Jones) 1947—
Ground control to Major Tom.
‘Space Oddity’ (1969 song)
2.174 William Lisle Bowles 1762-1850
The cause of Freedom is the cause of God!
‘A Poetical Address to the Right Honourable Edmund Burke’ (1791) l. 78
2.175 Sir Maurice Bowra 1898-1971
I’m a man more dined against than dining.
In John Betjeman ‘Summoned by Bells’ (1960) ch. 9.
My dear fellow, buggers can’t be choosers.
On being told he could not marry anyone as plain as his fiancèe, in Hugh Lloyd-Jones ‘Maurice Bowra: a
Celebration’ (1974) p. 150 (possibly apocryphal)
2.176 Lord Brabazon (Baron Brabazon of Tara) 1884-1964
If you cannot say what you are going to say in twenty minutes you ought to go away and write
a book about it.
‘Hansard (Lords)’ 21 June 1955, col. 207
2.177 Charles Brackett 1892-1969, Billy Wilder 1906-, and D. M. Marshman Jr.
Joe Gillis: You used to be in pictures. You used to be big.
Norma Desmond: I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.
‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950 film)
2.178 Charles Brackett 1892-1969, Billy Wilder 1906-, and Walter Reisch 1903-83
Ninotchka: Why should you carry other people’s bags?
Porter: Well, that’s my business, Madame.
Ninotchka: That’s no business. That’s social injustice.
Porter: That depends on the tip.
‘Ninotchka’ (1939 film)