I drink no more than a sponge.
—Francois Rabelais (1494–1553) French Humanist, Satirist
It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend, one’s present or future thirst, the excellence of the wine, or any other reason.
—Latin Proverb
Strong drink is not only the devil’s way into a man, but man’s way to the devil.
—Adam Clarke (1762–1832) British Methodist Scholar, Theologian, Clergyman
I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Bacchus’ blessings are a treasure; Drinking is the soldier’s pleasure.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Champagne does have one regular drawback: swilled as a regular thing a certain sourness settles in the tummy, and the result is permanent bad breath. Really incurable.
—Truman Capote (1924–84) American Novelist
The problem with some people is that when they aren’t drunk, they’re sober.
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish Poet, Dramatist
Would that I were a dry well, and that the people tossed stones into me, for that would be easier than to be a spring of flowing water that the thirsty pass by, and from which they avoid drinking.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
A good writer is not necessarily a good book critic. No more so than a good drunk is automatically a good bartender.
—Jim Bishop (1907–87) American Author, Journalist, Columnist
I view the tea-drinking as a destroyer of health, an enfeebler of the frome, an engender of effeminacy and laziness, a debaucher of youth and maker of misery for old age
—William Cobbett (1763–1835) English Journalist, Social Reformer
Wine is sunlight, held together by water.
—Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) Italian Astronomer, Physicist, Mathematician
There can be nothing more frequent than an occasional drink.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
I am grieved that it should be said he is my brother, and take these courses. Well, as he brews, so shall he drink, for George again. Yet he shall hear on’t, and tightly, too, an’ I live, i’faith.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
The maxim, “in vino Veritas—that a man who is well warmed with wine will speak truth,” may be an argument for drinking, if you suppose men in general to be liars; but, sir, I would not keep company with a fellow, who lies as long as he is sober, and whom you must make drunk before you can get a word of truth out of him.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Drink moderately, for drunkenness neither keeps a secret, nor observes a promise
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man’s appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
If drinking is interfering with your work, you’re probably a heavy drinker. If work is interfering with your drinking, you’re probably an alcoholic.
—Indian Proverb
I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on principle, so he won’t let himself get snotty about it.
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959) American Novelist
Wine makes a man better pleased with himself. I do not say that it makes him more pleasing to others… This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Every moderate drinker could abandon the intoxicating cup, if he would; every inebriate would if he could.
—John Bartholomew Gough (1817–86) Anglo-American Temperance Orator
Many contemporary authors drink more than they write
—Maxim Gorky (1868–1936) Russian Novelist, Dramatist, Political Activist
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
Drink today, and drown all sorrow; You shall perhaps not do it tomorrow; Best, while you have it, use your breath; There is no drinking after death
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
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
First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) American Novelist
Alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.
—Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) American Singer
I envy people who drink – at least they know what to blame everything on.
—Oscar Levant (1906–72) American Musician, Composer, Author, Comedian, Actor
A new morality has burst upon us with some violence in connection with the problem of strong drink; and enthusiasts in the matter range from the man who is violently thrown out at 12.30, to the lady who smashes American bars with an axe. In these discussions it is almost always felt that one very wise and moderate position is to say that wine or such stuff should only be drunk as a medicine. With this I should venture to disagree with a peculiar ferocity. The one genuinely dangerous and immoral way of drinking wine is to drink it as a medicine. And for this reason: If a man drinks wine in order to obtain pleasure, he is trying to obtain something exceptional; something he does not expect every hour of the day; something which, unless he is a little insane, he will not try to get every hour of the day. But if a man drinks wine in order to obtain health, he is trying to get something natural; something, that is, that he ought not to be without; something that he may find it difficult to reconcile himself to being without. The man may not be seduced who has seen the ecstasy of being ecstatic; it is more dazzling to catch a glimpse of the ecstasy of being ordinary.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Under a bad cloak there is often a good drinker.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Petition me no petitions, sir, to-day;
Let other hours be set apart for business.
To-day it is our pleasure to be drunk;
And this our queen shall be as drunk as we.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
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