Quote of the day
It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.
Oscar Wilde
Quote of the day
I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind … and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” Tyrion tapped the leather cover of the book. “That’s why I read so much, Jon.”
Tyrion Lannister, The Imp
Cat, don’t look at me
A cat may look at a king.
It certainly can and it most probably may, why not? But if you are not a native speaker and/or you are reading the magnificent “Through the looking glass” there is a good chance that you miss the figurative meaning of the phrase.
‘Who are you talking to?’ said the King, going up to Alice, and looking at the Cat’s head with great curiosity.
‘It’s a friend of mine — a Cheshire Cat,’ said Alice: ‘allow me to introduce it.’
‘I don’t like the look of it at all,’ said the King: ‘however, it may kiss my hand if it likes.’
‘I’d rather not,’ the Cat remarked.
‘Don’t be impertinent,’ said the King, ‘and don’t look at me like that!’ He got behind Alice as he spoke.
‘A cat may look at a king,’ said Alice. ‘I’ve read that in some book, but I don’t remember where.‘
‘Well, it must be removed,’ said the King very decidedly, and he called the Queen, who was passing at the moment, ‘My dear! I wish you would have this cat removed!’
What it actually means is “An inferior isn’t completely restricted in what they may do in the presence of a superior. “,
or the proverb in simpler words: “even a person of low status or importance has rights.”
A little bit but now you know it 🙂
Wandering through Englishland,
Sources:
Still not panicking
You are doing o.k.? Blood pressure, pulse and perspiration in line?
…we continue the “Hitchhiker’s quotes” drill from the previous post 🙂
“Hey, er, why can’t I see you?” he said. “Why aren’t you here?” “I am here,” said the voice slowly. “My body wanted to come but it’s a bit busy at the moment. Things to do, people to see.” After what seemed like a sort of ethereal sigh it added, “You know how it is with bodies.”
*
The Universe—some information to help you live in it.
AREA: Infinite. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy offers this definition of the word “Infinite.” Infinite:Bigger than the biggest thing ever and then some. Much bigger than that in fact, really amazingly immense, a totally stunning size, real “wow, that’s big,” time. Infinity is just so big that by comparison, bigness itself looks really titchy. Gigantic multiplied by colossal multiplied by staggeringly huge is the sort of concept we’re trying to get across here. Read More…
Don’t panic
A few quotes of the remarkably funny and absurd Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (plus of the sequel Restaurant at the end of the Universe). Definately must-read(s). Grab it a.s.a.p. and relax in the fields of the unknown, and never get too serious. 🙂
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is an indispensable companion to all those who are keen to make sense of life in an infinitely complex and confusing Universe, for though it cannot hope to be useful or informative on all matters, it does at least make the reassuring claim, that where it is inaccurate it is at least definitively inaccurate. In cases of major discrepancy it’s always reality that’s got it wrong. This was the gist of the notice. It said “The Guide is definitive. Reality is frequently inaccurate.”
“Alright,” said Ford, “just stop panicking.”
“Who said anything about panicking?” snapped Arthur. “This is still just the culture shock. You wait till I’ve settled down into the situation and found my bearings. Then I’ll start panicking.” Read More…
Sir Winston and his quotes
I deeply admire this man, his brains, sense of humour and self-mockery, and of course – his stiff neck 🙂
Help yourselves to 10 of his quotes on life and everything else. Just a tasting:
- “Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong.”
- “Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
- “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
AWARDS
Just English 