The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

university.
‘Table Talk’ vol. 1 (1821) ‘The Ignorance of the Learned’
We can scarcely hate any one that we know.
‘Table Talk’ vol. 2 (1822) ‘On Criticism’
Give me the clear blue sky over my head, and the green turf beneath my feet, a winding road
before me, and a three hours’ march to dinner—and then to thinking! It is hard if I cannot start
some game on these lone heaths.
‘Table Talk’ vol. 2 (1822) ‘On Going a Journey’
Well, I’ve had a happy life.
Last words, in W. C. Hazlitt ‘Memoirs of William Hazlitt’ (1867)
8.59 Denis Healey 1917—
Like being savaged by a dead sheep.
On being criticized by Sir Geoffrey Howe in the House of Commons, ‘Hansard’ 14 June 1978, col. 1027
8.60 Seamus Heaney 1939—
All agog at the plasterer on his ladder
Skimming our gable and writing our name there
With his trowel point, letter by strange letter.
‘Alphabets’ (1987)
Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests.
I’ll dig with it.
‘Digging’ (1966)
Don’t be surprised
If I demur, for, be advised
My passport’s green.
No glass of ours was ever raised
To toast The Queen.
‘Open Letter’ (Field Day pamphlet no. 2, 1983) p. 9, rebuking the editors of ‘The Penguin Book of
Contemporary British Poetry’ for including him among its authors
Who would connive
in civilised outrage
yet understand the exact
and tribal, intimate revenge.
‘Punishment’ (1975)
The famous
Northern reticence, the tight gag of place
And times: yes, yes. Of the ‘wee six’ I sing
Where to be saved you only must save face