Death, destruction and national catastrophe

Of course, this was supposedly in the national character; it was proverbial that the Englishman displayed emotion only when faced by some truly earth-shaking crisis, like a cricket match, or the ill-treatment of an animal, or a rise in the price of beer; for such trivia as death, destruction and national catastrophe he was supposed to reserve an indifference that bordered on insanity.


Mr American, pp.510-11, Pan Books, paperback edition 1982.


Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, emotion.

True words

     ‘One thing becomes clear,’ said Mr Franklin grimly, ‘and that is that every word she said about you is true.’
     ‘What, about being deceitful and dishonest and rotten to the core, you mean? Of course it’s true,’ said Sir Harry comfortably.


Mr American, p.438, Pan Books, paperback edition 1982.


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People he loves

     ‘Although he is quite a dreadful person, really. He is absolutely selfish and dishonest and quite shameless. He has a shocking reputation — and deserves it. Just a few years ago he had to leave Sandringham in disgrace. ‘ She had apparently forgotten that Mr Franklin had been there. ‘How Aunt Elspeth has endured him . . . do you know that next year they will have been married for seventy-five years? It seems incredible . . . she is ninety years old, and a darling. So is he, I suppose — and yet sometimes I feel that I hate him more than anyone I’ve ever known; you would not beleve how mean and deceitful he can be — even with people he loves.’


Mr American, p.433, Pan Books, paperback edition 1982.


Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, hate.

Nowhere to hide

      I’d never have done for the Navy. You may fool soldiers by holding aloof and looking martial, but Jack would have seen through me before we’d crossed the bar. That’s the hellish thing about life aboard ship — there’s nowhere to hide either your carcase or your nature.


Flashman on the March, p.17, Harper Collins, paperback edition 2005.


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Character and abilities

      When I think of the number of eminent men — and women — who have taken me at face value, and formed a high opinion of my character and abilities, it makes me tremble for my country’s future.


Flashman and the Mountain of Light, p.352, Fontana Paperback edition, 1991.



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Son of Flashman

He acted like me, he thought like me, and take the paint and braids off him, and by God he looked like me: even the red skin was just weather, and I’ve been darker myself out east. If there was a difference, it was that I suspected (after Greasy Grass) he was brave, poor lad. I think he probably was; got that from Cleonie’s side, no doubt. As to his deep nature, though, I can’t tell; I doubt if he was as big a blackguard as I am, but then he was only half my age. And being so like me, he undoubtedly had the gift of concealing his character.

Flashman and the Redskins, p.342, Pan Books edition, 1983.

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Flashy’s boy, no error

Good actor, too—aye, it all fitted, the skill in histrionics and dissimulation, the delight in twisting the victim’s tail, the mockery, the cool damn-you cut of his jib, the callous way he talked of things other youngsters would have been ashamed of. Oh, he was Flashy’s boy, no error—even if I hadn’t sold his mama down the river, there’d have been no touching reunion between father and son. We ain’t cut out for affection, much, our lot.

Flashman and the Redskins, p.338, Pan Books edition, 1983.

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A seasoned ruffian

…his baby son, Charlie, was a seasoned ruffian of twelve months who took to me at once, as children usually do, recognising in me a nature as unscrupulous as their own.

Flashman and the Redskins, p.195, Pan Books edition, 1983.

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Never forget any injury

Never you mind; I know my own nature hasn’t changed in eighty years, so why should anyone else’s? And I never forget any injury – I’ve done too many of ’em.

Flashman at the Charge, p.134, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes,injury, nature.

Flashy on politicians

…they’re a contemptible lot [politicians], and you’ll agree that I had my full share of the qualities of character necessary in political life. I could lie and dissemble with the best, give short change with a hearty clap on the shoulder, slip out from under long before the blow fell, talk, toady, and turn tail as fast as a Yankee fakir selling patent pill. Mark you, I’ve never been given to interfering in other folk’s affairs if I could help it, so I suppose that would have disqualified me.

Flash For Freedom!, p.13, Pan edition, 8th printing, 1980.

Tags:
Flashman, Flashman quotes,politicans.