Winston Churchill

It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.

I am reminded of the professor who, in his declining hours, was asked by his devoted pupils for his final counsel. He replied, ‘Verify your quotations.’

Nothing can be more abhorrent to democracy than to imprison a person or keep him in prison because he is unpopular. This is really the test of civilization.

He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.

The price of greatness is responsibility.

Boldness is ever blind, for it sees not dangers and inconveniences whence it is bad in council though good in execution.

Poets, like friends to whom you are in debt, you hate.

When the romance is gone, if it’s always you left searching for it, maybe it’s time to stop looking, and start searching for someone new, and start a new romantic journey.

He presents me with what is always an acceptable gift who brings me news of a great thought before unknown. He enriches me without impoverishing himself.

This self-love is the instrument of our preservation; it resembles the provision for the perpetuity of mankind: it is necessary, it is dear to us, it gives us pleasure, and we must conceal it.

Work with some men is as besetting a sin as idleness.

My life has been one great big joke, a dance that’s walked a song that’s spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke when I think about myself.

We talk of choosing our friends, but friends are self-elected

We are symbols, and inhabit symbols.

A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.

Any coward can fight a battle when he’s sure of winning, but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he’s sure of losing. That’s my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.

Regardless of who you are or what you have been, you can be what you want to be.

If the Almighty were to rebuild the world and asked me for advice, I would have English Channels round every country. And the atmosphere would be such that anything which attempted to fly would be set on fire.

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.