"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
- Winston Churchill
"A modest little person, with much to be modest about."
- Winston Churchill
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great
pleasure."
- Clarence Darrow
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the
dictionary."
- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)
"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big
words?" - Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)
"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time
reading it."
- Moses Hadas
"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I
know."
- Abraham Lincoln
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."
- Groucho Marx
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I
approved of it."
- Mark Twain
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends."
- Oscar Wilde
"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play, bring a
friend... if you have one."
- George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is
one."
- Winston Churchill, in reply
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When Insults Had Class
Discussion is locked
vile disease." William Gladstone British Liberal Party statesman and Prime Minister (1868?1874, 1880?1885, 1886 and 1892?1894).
"That all depends Sir, on whether I embrace your principles or your Mistress." Benjamin Disraeli. English statesman and literary figure. He served in government for three decades, twice as Prime Minister taking over in 1868 for the ailing Lord Derby(replaced by Gladstone in the election that year), and 1870-1880
"Winston, if I were your wife, I would put arsenic in your tea." Lady Astor, one of the American Langhorne sisters, and first woman member of Parliament in Britain for the Conservative Party.
"Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it." Winnie the Church, also a Conservative though not of Lady Astor's appeasement Cliveden set as was Neville Chamberlain.
The quotation "He is a modest man with much to be modest about" was said of Clement Atlee, leader of the Labour party and Prime Minister from 1945 to 1950, as was "A sheep in sheep's clothing." about the same gentleman.
A question for all here. I'm hoping it is unavailable on Google to prevent that recourse.
"The Conservative Party is not a party but a conspiracy." Anybody care to hazard a guess who said this? It was the man who also introduced the first Public Health legislation in Britain.
Rob Boyter
made. Oscar Wilde was being harrassed by a mediocre poet who had set his sights on being named Poet Laureate. Fortunately his campaign was going badly. When he saw Wilde at a party, he unburdened himselr. "There is a conspiracy of silence against me, Oscar. A conspiracy of silence. What should I do?"
Without missing a beat, Wilde said "Join it !" and quietly moved on.
Rob
we must be sugary sweet to those with whom we disagree. I think Martin Luther was also known for rather strong verbage as was Jesus.
"You can't tell how good a man or a watermelon is 'til they get thumped."
-George
country wisdom- short, sweet, you know what not to swallow, and the rind goes in the compost pile.
sorry for the triple post, it was pilot error
such, for me, is the idea that usually both the ''insulter'' and the ''insultee'' both had class and respect for one another (when on a personal basis, of course, as opposed to the general statements.)
Class: Synonymous with such terms as - elegance, grace, refinement, stateliness, artfulness, sophistication, taste, dignity, restraint.
To truly make a point known and understood, it must be phrased/stated in such a way as to not offend the intended party. Conversely, the intended party must also be willing to accept such without becoming defensive. Neither of these are easy to do. 
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attitudes toward others, or you are confusing civility with respect. With lines like:
"Winston, if I were your wife, I would put arsenic in your tea." Lady Astor, one of the American Langhorne sisters, and first woman member of Parliament in Britain for the Conservative Party.
"Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it." Winnie the Church, also a Conservative though not of Lady Astor's appeasement Cliveden set as was Neville Chamberlain.
one can hardly say that there was no intent to offend the other party. Offense delivered with civility was the objective.
"my god NO!"
"would you have sex with me for $1,000,000?"
"ummmmmm yes"
"would you have sex with me for $10?"
"Sir! what do you think i am, a *****?"
"Madam, that fact has been proved, now we are discussing the price"
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Confusing civility with respect?
I don't think I have, but anything's possible. 
Projecting my attitude toward others?
Quite likely. I much prefer an environment in which communication (written or spoken) amongst the participants is done with civility and respect, including (and oftentimes especially) disagreements and debates.
I did not mean to appear naive in implying that I believed all of the quotations in question were maybe not meant to be offensive.
The ones I find most enjoyable are where both sides are quoted. It appears (to me) that they likely enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to engage in a bit of repartee with a like-minded individual. I enjoy such for myself, as well as right here in SE. There are several members in these forums that are intelligent, articulate and of quick-wit.
Take care,
--Marcia
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