The Joy of Curmudgeonry

It is perverse that the leaders of a modern nation feel they must honour the memory of the great men to whom that nation owes what it posses...

Fair consideration of impolitic or outmoded views requires an effort that can be more profitably spent in seeking favour with the times, whe...

Through a strength of confidence hitherto unknown, the frivolous have learnt to take themselves and their works seriously — precisely those ...

With principles that leave the dirty work to others, one can enjoy a spotless conscience by which to condemn those others.

“There is nothing which is not the subject of debate, and in which men of learning are not of contrary opinions. The most trivial question e...

“The security-council of the Feminist Association of Iceland has accused the directors and management of Valitor ( Visa Iceland ) of workin...

Just as “there are no human races, just the one species: [H]omo sapiens ”, [1] so there are no equine breeds, just the one species: Equus c...

It is said that this country could sustain twice the population. Very well, but why would anyone want it to do so? There are, I suppose, man...

Terry Eagleton notes approvingly that “[William] Blake . . . viewed the political as inseparable from art, ethics, sexuality and the imagina...

“It is now time to address, once and for all, the archaic and socially exclusive policy of academic selection.” [1] Why don’t these blighte...

The gall and utter shamelessness of some of our politicians surpasses my cynicism. I find it barely credible that they should use evidence o...

“I always strove throughout the war to view my opponent without hatred, and to reckon him a man in accordance with his courage. In battle I ...

“Emotionally literate” — an ugly phrase used approvingly to denote the ability to out-wet a lettuce.

Mediocrity tends to a tolerance of everything but excellence.

“A better world is possible” — but highly unlikely if we acquiesce to the sort of people who typically proclaim it.

It is quite something to take the smugness of one’s own ignorance, bolstered by one’s sure presumption of the ignorance of others, as settli...