The sway of alcohol over mankind is unquestionably due to its power to stimulate the mystical faculties of human nature, usually crushed to earth by the cold facts and dry criticisms of the sober hour. Sobriety diminishes, discriminates, and says no; drunkenness expands, unites, and says yes.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Alcohol can ruin your life and the lives of others, so why even take one drink?
—Duane Alan Hahn
Man being reasonable must get drunk; the best of life is but intoxication. Glory, the grape, love, gold – in these are sunk the hopes of all men and of every nation.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
You are not really drunk if you are laying on the floor without holding on.
—Anonymous
If merely “feeling good” could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Candy, is dandy, but Liquor, is quicker.
—Ogden Nash (1902–71) American Writer of Sophisticated Light Verse
Wine gives a man nothing. It neither gives him knowledge nor wit; it only animates a man, and enables him to bring out what a dread of the company has repressed. It only puts in motion what had been locked up in frost.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
I drank at every vine.
The last was like the first.
I came upon no wine
So wonderful as thirst.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) American Poet, Playwright, Feminist
When I was younger I made it a rule never to take a strong drink before lunch. Now it is my rule never to do so before breakfast.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
We hear of the conversion of water into wine at the marriage in Cana as of a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Sometimes too much drink is barely enough.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Alcohol is like love. The first kiss is magic, the second is intimate, the third is routine. After that you take the girl’s clothes off.
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959) American Novelist
Drink the first. Sip the second slowly. Skip the third.
—Knute Rockne (1888–1931) American College Football Coach
I never drink water; that is the stuff that rusts pipes.
—W. C. Fields (1880–1946) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
A prohibitionist is the sort of man one couldn’t care to drink with, even if he drank.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
A man’s got to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another drink.
—W. C. Fields (1880–1946) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
Some men are like musical glasses; to produce their finest tones you must keep them wet.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
I never drink water. I’m afraid it will become habit-forming.
—W. C. Fields (1880–1946) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
Water taken in moderation cannot hurt anybody.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Alcohol doesn’t console, it doesn’t fill up anyone’s psychological gaps, all it replaces is the lack of God. It doesn’t comfort man. On the contrary, it encourages him in his folly, it transports him to the supreme regions where he is master of his own destiny.
—Marguerite Duras (1914–96) French Novelist, Playwright
Better belly burst than good liquor be lost.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it.
—Robert E. Lee (1807–70) Confederate General during American Civil War
I have been brought up and trained to have the utmost contempt for people who get drunk.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
I often wonder what the vintners buy one half so precious as the stuff they sell.
—Omar Khayyam (1048–1123) Persian Mathematician
When a woman drinks it’s as if an animal were drinking, or a child. Alcoholism is scandalous in a woman, and a female alcoholic is rare, a serious matter. It’s a slur on the divine in our nature.
—Marguerite Duras (1914–96) French Novelist, Playwright
Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
Drink not the third glass, which thou canst not tame, when once it is within thee.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
When I drink, I think; and when I think, I drink.
—Francois Rabelais (1494–1553) French Humanist, Satirist
Under a tattered cloak you will generally find a good drinker.
—Spanish Proverb
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