Cruel waste

Damnable altogether, cruel waste of good womanhood, but what would you do? Better one should go than two, and greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down someone else’s life for his own.



Flashman on the March, p.141, Harper Collins, paperback edition 2005.


Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, cruel.

Curious American compulsion

…I didn’t overhear much more, for young Anderson, who was seated next to me, had that curious American compulsion to tell you his life-story, as well as his views on everything under the sun.


Flashman and the Angel of the Lord, p.216, Harper Collins, 1995.



Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, compulsion.

Those fortunate few

…if life has taught me anything, it’s that the wealth and comfort of the fortunate few (who include our contented middle classes as well as the nobility) will always depend on the sweat and poverty of the unfortunate many, whether they’re toiling on plantations or licking labels in sweat shops at a penny a thousand. It’s the way of the world, and until Utopia comes, which it shows no sign of doing, thank God, I’ll just rub along with the few, minding my own business.



Flashman and the Angel of the Lord, p.22, Harper Collins, 1995.



Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, life.

The great rule of headquarters

Two staff infants were within, Addiscombe all over ’em.
      “Hollo, my sons!” cries I cheerily, with my head splitting. “I’m Flashman. Not a bit of it, sit down, sit down! Don’t tell me you haven’t learned the great headquarters rule yet!”
      “They looked at each other, blushing and respectful in the presence of the celebrated beau sabreur. “No sir,” says one, nervously. “What’s that?”
      “Hark’ee, my boy. If bread is the staff of life, what is the life of staff?”
      “Dunno, sir,” says he, grinning.
      “One long loaf,” says I, winking. “So take your ease, and tell me where’s Sir Hope Grant


Flashman and the Dragon, p.157, Fontana Paperback edition, 1986.



Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, staff.

Pluck the thorns

But life ain’t a bed of roses, and you must just pluck the thorns out of your rump and get on.

Flashman and the Redskins, p.348, Pan Books edition, 1983.

Tags:Flashman, Flashman quotes, life.

Feared the worst

…if I’ve lived this long it’s because I’ve always feared the worst and been ready for it.

Flashman's Lady, p.83, Pan edition, 1979.

Tags:Flashman, Flashman quotes, worst.

A dishonest life

I have observed, in the course of a dishonest life, that when a rogue is outlining a treacherous plan, he works harder to convince himself than to move his hearers.

Flashman, p.148, Pan edition, 12th printing, 1979.

Tags:
Flashman, Flashman quotes,dishonest, rogue,treacherous.