The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Historian, Political Leader, Explorer
Her face was her chaperone.
—Rupert Hughes (1872–1956) American Novelist, Film Director, Military Officer
People think that they just want movies like Pretty Woman, when really they—at least the ones that I know personally—have been waiting for something that doesn’t completely insult them.
—Winona Ryder (b.1971) American Actress
Coolidge was known for his terse speech and reticence. A woman bet her friend that she could get Coolidge to speak to her, which was something he was reluctant to do. She went up to him and said: “Hello, Mr. President, I bet my friend that I could get you to say three words to me”. “You lose,” Coolidge replied dryly, and walked away.
—Unknown
Little enemies and little wounds must not be despised.
—Common Proverb
Even rabbits insult an dead lion.
—Common Proverb
Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Every one in a crowd has the power to throw dirt; none out of ten have the inclination.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Man is much more sensitive to the contempt of others than to self-contempt.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
A sneer is often the sign of heartless malignity.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
The way to procure insults is to submit to them. A man meets with no more respect than he exacts.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Calumny is only the noise of madmen.
—Diogenes Laertius (f.3rd Century CE) Biographer of the Greek Philosophers
He who does not shield himself from vilification receives it.
—Arabic Proverb
If you can’t ignore an insult, top it; if you can’t top it, laugh it off; and if you can’t laugh it off, it’s probably deserved.
—Russell Lynes (1910–91) American Historian, Writer, Editor
Our disputants put me in mind of the cuttlefish that, when he is unable to extricate himself, blackens the water about him till he becomes invisible.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
To vilify a great man is the readiest way in which a little man can himself attain greatness.
—Edgar Allan Poe (1809–49) American Poet
O!, many a shaft at random sent
Finds mark the archer little meant!
And many a word at random spoken
May soothe, or wound, a heart that ‘s broken!
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Rebukes are easy from our betters,
From men of quality and letters;
But when low dunces will affront,
What man alive can stand the brunt?
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all argument and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance. This principle is contempt prior to examination.
—Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) English Polymath, Philosopher, Political/Social Theorist
I will make a bargain with the Republicans. If they will stop telling lies about Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
A thick skin is a gift from God.
—Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967) German Statesman
I am about courting a girl I have had but little acquaintance with. How shall I come to a knowledge of her faults, and whether she has the virtues I imagine she has? Answer. Commend her among her female acquaintances.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Just the omission of Jane Austen’s books alone would make a fairly good library out of a library that hadn’t a book in it.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Some people are like Slinkies… not really good for anything, but you still can’t help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
—Unknown
What is said of a man is nothing. The point is, who says it.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
A graceful taunt is worth a thousand insults.
—Louis Nizer (1902–1994) American Lawyer, Author
The only gracious way to accept an insult is to ignore it; if you can’t ignore it, top it; if you can’t top it, laugh at it; if you can’t laugh at it, it’s probably deserved.
—Russell Lynes (1910–91) American Historian, Writer, Editor
No one is safe from slander. The best way is to pay no attention to it, but live in innocence and let the world talk.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
There is nothing that people bear more impatiently, or forgive less, than contempt: and an injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
You will find that silence or very gentle words are the most exquisite revenge for insult.
—Indian Proverb
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