Habitual intoxication is the epitome of every crime.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
There is scarcely a crime before me that is not, directly or indirectly, caused by strong drink.
—Hartley Coleridge (1796–1849) English Writer, Poet
I don’t drink; I don’t like it — it makes me feel good.
—Oscar Levant (1906–72) American Musician, Composer, Author, Comedian, Actor
When I played drunks I had to remain sober because I didn’t know how to play them when I was drunk.
—Richard Burton (1925–84) Welsh Actor
There are more old drunkards than old physicians.
—Francois Rabelais (1494–1553) French Humanist, Satirist
He who is drunk from wine can sober up, he who is drunk from wealth cannot.
—African Proverb
A drunkards purse is a bottle.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
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 Journalist, Author
Yesterday’s drunkenness will not quench today’s thirst.
—Egyptian Proverb
Intoxicating drinks have produced evils more deadly, because more continuous, than all those caused to mankind by the great historic scourges of war, famine, and pestilence combined.
—William Ewart Gladstone (1809–98) English Liberal Statesman, Prime Minister
Of all vices take heed of drunkenness. Other vices are but the fruits of disordered affections; this disorders, nay banishes reason. — Other vices but impair the soul; this demolishes her two chief acuities, the understanding and the will. Other vices make their own way; this makes way for all vices. — He that is a drunkard is qualified for all vice.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet