Winston Churchill

[Obliviax]

1. Chatting With Truman

U.S. President Harry S. Truman once defended Churchill’s replacement, Clement Attlee, by saying “He seems a modest sort of fellow.“

To which, Churchill replied “He’s got a lot to be modest about.“

2. The Boneless Wonder

Complaining about former Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald’s lack of gusto, Churchill said:

“I remember when I was a child, being taken to the celebrated Barnum’s Circus, which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities, but the exhibit on the programme which I most desired to see was the one described as “The Boneless Wonder”. My parents judged that the spectacle would be too demoralising and revolting for my youthful eye and I have waited fifty years, to see the The Boneless Wonder sitting on the Treasury Bench.“

3. On Lord Charles Beresford

When speaking of Lord Charles Beresford, a popular British Admiral and member of Parliament, Churchill said:

“He is one of those orators of whom it was well said: Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say; when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said.“

4. Sheep In Sheep’s Clothing

Poor Ramsay MacDonald just couldn’t catch a break from Winston, who found his apparent lack of a spine frustrating. He once called him “a sheep in sheep’s clothing.“

5. On Stanley Baldwin

Speaking of conservative politician Stanley Baldwin, Churchill said: “I wish Stanley Baldwin no ill, but it would have been much better if he had never lived.“

6. Working Man

Liberal politician Joseph Chamberlain was once a mentor to Churchill, but after a disagreement over free trade, Churchill said “Mr. Chamberlain loves the working man, he loves to see him work.“

7. Churchills

An American novelist named Winston Spencer Churchill came to the attention of a young Winston, who wrote to him:

“Why don’t you go into politics? I mean to be Prime Minister of England: it would be a great lark if you were President of the United States at the same time.“

The American Churchill did indeed go into politics, but never made it to the office of President.

8. Appetizing Appeasers

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.“

9. You Will Still Be Ugly

Churchill was once accused by Bessie Braddock of being drunk, the exchange went something along the lines of:

Bessie: “Winston, you are drunk.“

Winston: “My dear, you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.“

10. One At A Time

After being disturbed on the toilet by the Lord Privy Seal, Winston said “Tell him I can only deal with one sh-t at a time!”

11. de Gaulle’s New Groove

Of French general and statesman Charles de Gaulle, Churchill said:

“What can you do with a man who looks like a female llama surprised when bathing?“

12. Equals

“All dogs look up to you; all cats look down on you… only the pig looks at you as an equal.“

13. Smallest Amount of Thought

More venom for Ramsay MacDonald — “We know that he has, more than any other man, the gift of compressing the largest amount of words into the smallest amount of thought.“

 

[fairgambit]

I never tire of reading anything about Churchill. If I were to list the 10 greatest people of the 20th century, he would be on my list and in the top 5.

 

[Victor E. Bell]

#9 is one of the classic barbs of modern smart-assery. I always heard it "Yes, I am drunk and you are ugly. But in the morning, I shall be sober."

 

[fairgambit]

I do believe Sir Winston would have found a home on this Board.

 

[Obliviax]

I never tire of reading anything about Churchill. If I were to list the 10 greatest people of the 20th century, he would be on my list and in the top 5.

I met a little old lady, last summer, who claims she saw him naked.

She says she did some admin assistant work for the White House in the early 60's. There was an event with WC, not sure if it was in the states or GB, but the facility had a dressing room. Before the event, WC went in to change. She was familiar with the room which had a small greeting are or "mud room' and two doors that opened into the living area. WC went in to change and there was something that she needed to inform him about the evening. So she opened the door and walked in. WC had failed to close the two doors into the living area, which she assumed would be closed and on which she would knock. She said he was completely naked except for his socks. When he heard her come in, he bolted upright and turned to face her strait on. There was a pause, she was shocked, and neither knew what to do. Then, after a pause, he looked at her and said "well, this must be the thrill of your life." She laughed, excused herself, closed the doors and a few minutes later he invited her to come into the living area, share a drink, and tell him what she wanted to tell him.

She was in her early 90's when she was telling me this story.

 

[fairgambit]

I met a little old lady, last summer, who claims she saw him naked.
She says she did some admin assistant work for the White House in the early 60's. There was an event with WC, not sure if it was in the states or GB, but the facility had a dressing room. Before the event, WC went in to change. She was familiar with the room which had a small greeting are or "mud room' and two doors that opened into the living area. WC went in to change and there was something that she needed to inform him about the evening. So she opened the door and walked in. WC had failed to close the two doors into the living area, which she assumed would be closed and on which she would knock. She said he was completely naked except for his socks. When he heard her come in, he bolted upright and turned to face her strait on. There was a pause, she was shocked, and neither knew what to do. Then, after a pause, he looked at her and said "well, this must be the thrill of your life." She laughed, excused herself, closed the doors and a few minutes later he invited her to come into the living area, share a drink, and tell him what she wanted to tell him.
She was in her early 90's when she was telling me this story.

Good stuff.

 

[robbrunskill]

1. Chatting With Truman

U.S. President Harry S. Truman once defended Churchill’s replacement, Clement Attlee, by saying “He seems a modest sort of fellow.“

To which, Churchill replied “He’s got a lot to be modest about.“

2. The Boneless Wonder

Complaining about former Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald’s lack of gusto, Churchill said:

“I remember when I was a child, being taken to the celebrated Barnum’s Circus, which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities, but the exhibit on the programme which I most desired to see was the one described as “The Boneless Wonder”. My parents judged that the spectacle would be too demoralising and revolting for my youthful eye and I have waited fifty years, to see the The Boneless Wonder sitting on the Treasury Bench.“

3. On Lord Charles Beresford

When speaking of Lord Charles Beresford, a popular British Admiral and member of Parliament, Churchill said:

“He is one of those orators of whom it was well said: Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say; when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said.“

4. Sheep In Sheep’s Clothing

Poor Ramsay MacDonald just couldn’t catch a break from Winston, who found his apparent lack of a spine frustrating. He once called him “a sheep in sheep’s clothing.“

5. On Stanley Baldwin

Speaking of conservative politician Stanley Baldwin, Churchill said: “I wish Stanley Baldwin no ill, but it would have been much better if he had never lived.“

6. Working Man

Liberal politician Joseph Chamberlain was once a mentor to Churchill, but after a disagreement over free trade, Churchill said “Mr. Chamberlain loves the working man, he loves to see him work.“

7. Churchills

An American novelist named Winston Spencer Churchill came to the attention of a young Winston, who wrote to him:

“Why don’t you go into politics? I mean to be Prime Minister of England: it would be a great lark if you were President of the United States at the same time.“

The American Churchill did indeed go into politics, but never made it to the office of President.

8. Appetizing Appeasers

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.“

9. You Will Still Be Ugly

Churchill was once accused by Bessie Braddock of being drunk, the exchange went something along the lines of:

Bessie: “Winston, you are drunk.“

Winston: “My dear, you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.“

10. One At A Time

After being disturbed on the toilet by the Lord Privy Seal, Winston said “Tell him I can only deal with one sh-t at a time!”

11. de Gaulle’s New Groove

Of French general and statesman Charles de Gaulle, Churchill said:

“What can you do with a man who looks like a female llama surprised when bathing?“

12. Equals

“All dogs look up to you; all cats look down on you… only the pig looks at you as an equal.“

13. Smallest Amount of Thought

More venom for Ramsay MacDonald — “We know that he has, more than any other man, the gift of compressing the largest amount of words into the smallest amount of thought.“

He must have shared script writers with WC Fields, Don Rickles and Al Czervik from "Caddy Shack" (Rodney Dangerfield). An ardent anti-communist, WC proved that brandy and cigars are indeed not bad for your health by living to 90 despite a stress filled adulthood including a demanding travel schedule in the years during and directly after WWII.

 

[ACGT]

A few years ago there was an email titled when Insults Had Class. Here are two of my favorites:

Lady Astor once remarked to Winston Churchill at a Dinner Party,
"Winston, if you were my husband, I would poison your coffee!"
Winston replied, "Madam if I were your husband I would drink it!"

And the second one:

"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...followed by
Churchill's response: "Cannot possibly attend first night, will
attend second, if there is one." -- Winston Churchill

 

[Lion84]

I have used one of his quotes in business settings over the years - "This is not the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning" this was his response when asked how the war was going at the time. Makes a lot of sense.

 

[Grass]

Those were great. Thanks for posting.

 

[Obliviax]

I read an article in Playboy many years ago (yes, people read playboy for the articles!!!) that had a photo of a hammer smashing a light bulb and was about the greatest comebacks of all time. Silent Cal had several. But my favorite was two guys sparing in the House of Lords. The first guy says something like "sir, you will either be hanged by your constituents or die of venereal disease and hope to be around to see it." The second guy, the target, gains recognition, rises and says "that depends whether if I embrace your ideals or your wife".

 

[kgilbert78]

Lady Astor did get him back, though....

Winston Churchill: I venture to say that my Right Honorable friend, so redolent of other knowledge, knows nothing of farming. I'll even make a bet that she doesn't know how many toes a pig has.

Lady Astor: Oh, yes I do! Take off your little shoesies and have a look.

 

[SEPATOPTEN]

1. Chatting With Truman

U.S. President Harry S. Truman once defended Churchill’s replacement, Clement Attlee, by saying “He seems a modest sort of fellow.“

To which, Churchill replied “He’s got a lot to be modest about.“

2. The Boneless Wonder

Complaining about former Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald’s lack of gusto, Churchill said:

“I remember when I was a child, being taken to the celebrated Barnum’s Circus, which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities, but the exhibit on the programme which I most desired to see was the one described as “The Boneless Wonder”. My parents judged that the spectacle would be too demoralising and revolting for my youthful eye and I have waited fifty years, to see the The Boneless Wonder sitting on the Treasury Bench.“

3. On Lord Charles Beresford

When speaking of Lord Charles Beresford, a popular British Admiral and member of Parliament, Churchill said:

“He is one of those orators of whom it was well said: Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say; when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said.“

4. Sheep In Sheep’s Clothing

Poor Ramsay MacDonald just couldn’t catch a break from Winston, who found his apparent lack of a spine frustrating. He once called him “a sheep in sheep’s clothing.“

5. On Stanley Baldwin

Speaking of conservative politician Stanley Baldwin, Churchill said: “I wish Stanley Baldwin no ill, but it would have been much better if he had never lived.“

6. Working Man

Liberal politician Joseph Chamberlain was once a mentor to Churchill, but after a disagreement over free trade, Churchill said “Mr. Chamberlain loves the working man, he loves to see him work.“

7. Churchills

An American novelist named Winston Spencer Churchill came to the attention of a young Winston, who wrote to him:

“Why don’t you go into politics? I mean to be Prime Minister of England: it would be a great lark if you were President of the United States at the same time.“

The American Churchill did indeed go into politics, but never made it to the office of President.

8. Appetizing Appeasers

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.“

9. You Will Still Be Ugly

Churchill was once accused by Bessie Braddock of being drunk, the exchange went something along the lines of:

Bessie: “Winston, you are drunk.“

Winston: “My dear, you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.“

10. One At A Time

After being disturbed on the toilet by the Lord Privy Seal, Winston said “Tell him I can only deal with one sh-t at a time!”

11. de Gaulle’s New Groove

Of French general and statesman Charles de Gaulle, Churchill said:

“What can you do with a man who looks like a female llama surprised when bathing?“

12. Equals

“All dogs look up to you; all cats look down on you… only the pig looks at you as an equal.“

13. Smallest Amount of Thought

More venom for Ramsay MacDonald — “We know that he has, more than any other man, the gift of compressing the largest amount of words into the smallest amount of thought.“

Churchill made a giant comeback after his planning gaffes in world War I. After his disgrace he went into the trenches in France.

 

[anon_is9z1n0h3zblb]

Ones past the top 10. Make sure you have some time and, in honor of him, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/14033.Winston_S_Churchill

 

[Leo Ridens]

I read an article in Playboy many years ago (yes, people read playboy for the articles!!!) that had a photo of a hammer smashing a light bulb and was about the greatest comebacks of all time. Silent Cal had several. But my favorite was two guys sparing in the House of Lords. The first guy says something like "sir, you will either be hanged by your constituents or die of venereal disease and hope to be around to see it." The second guy, the target, gains recognition, rises and says "that depends whether if I embrace your ideals or your wife".

That is one of my all-time favorites as well, and has been attributed to various wits. The earliest reference is by the 4th Earl of Sandwich to either Samuel Foote or John Wilkes.

Churchill is one of the all-time greatest verbal wits, along with Samuel Johnson and Oscar Wilde. Churchill and Johnson used their wit as lethal weapons, Wilde more for amusement without drawing blood.

 

[fairgambit]

Winston's mother, described as "strikingly beautiful, with amber eyes, dark-brown hair, full breasts and an irrepressible lust for life", was kinda' hot.

 

[Bushwood CC]

1. Chatting With Truman

U.S. President Harry S. Truman once defended Churchill’s replacement, Clement Attlee, by saying “He seems a modest sort of fellow.“

To which, Churchill replied “He’s got a lot to be modest about.“

2. The Boneless Wonder

Complaining about former Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald’s lack of gusto, Churchill said:

“I remember when I was a child, being taken to the celebrated Barnum’s Circus, which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities, but the exhibit on the programme which I most desired to see was the one described as “The Boneless Wonder”. My parents judged that the spectacle would be too demoralising and revolting for my youthful eye and I have waited fifty years, to see the The Boneless Wonder sitting on the Treasury Bench.“

3. On Lord Charles Beresford

When speaking of Lord Charles Beresford, a popular British Admiral and member of Parliament, Churchill said:

“He is one of those orators of whom it was well said: Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say; when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said.“

4. Sheep In Sheep’s Clothing

Poor Ramsay MacDonald just couldn’t catch a break from Winston, who found his apparent lack of a spine frustrating. He once called him “a sheep in sheep’s clothing.“

5. On Stanley Baldwin

Speaking of conservative politician Stanley Baldwin, Churchill said: “I wish Stanley Baldwin no ill, but it would have been much better if he had never lived.“

6. Working Man

Liberal politician Joseph Chamberlain was once a mentor to Churchill, but after a disagreement over free trade, Churchill said “Mr. Chamberlain loves the working man, he loves to see him work.“

7. Churchills

An American novelist named Winston Spencer Churchill came to the attention of a young Winston, who wrote to him:

“Why don’t you go into politics? I mean to be Prime Minister of England: it would be a great lark if you were President of the United States at the same time.“

The American Churchill did indeed go into politics, but never made it to the office of President.

8. Appetizing Appeasers

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.“

9. You Will Still Be Ugly

Churchill was once accused by Bessie Braddock of being drunk, the exchange went something along the lines of:

Bessie: “Winston, you are drunk.“

Winston: “My dear, you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.“

10. One At A Time

After being disturbed on the toilet by the Lord Privy Seal, Winston said “Tell him I can only deal with one sh-t at a time!”

11. de Gaulle’s New Groove

Of French general and statesman Charles de Gaulle, Churchill said:

“What can you do with a man who looks like a female llama surprised when bathing?“

12. Equals

“All dogs look up to you; all cats look down on you… only the pig looks at you as an equal.“

13. Smallest Amount of Thought

More venom for Ramsay MacDonald — “We know that he has, more than any other man, the gift of compressing the largest amount of words into the smallest amount of thought.“

Churchill was also half American (his Mother was American) and the only person, I believe, to have been granted and recognized a "dual-citizen" of the United States and a foreign country (UK).

 

[gslachta]

My favorite and I must paraphrase as it's from an old memory. Winston went to the WC in Parliament. There was urinal trough. Clement Atlee (my best recollection) was standing at one end of the trough. Winston went to the opposite end. Atlee asked Winston if he was embarrassed to stand near to him. Winston replied, no that is not it, but when you see something huge you want to nationalize it.

 

[Frabjous]

Hitler stupidly declared war on the United States after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. That, and not Churchill's military leadership, is what won the war for the Allies.

 

[PennStateNate]

Hitler attacking Russia won the war, add Japan bombing us and it was def over.

 

[Obliviax]

Hitler stupidly declared war on the United States after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. That, and not Churchill's military leadership, is what won the war for the Allies.

Not sure what caused that outburst. Clearly, UK alone, was no match for the Nazis. However, WC did great rallying the Brits during the battle of Brittian and the North African campaign. The UK, with a total population of 47m lost over 450,000 people. The USA, with a population of 131m, lost 420,000.

 

[bmw199]

Not sure what caused that outburst. Clearly, UK alone, was no match for the Nazis. However, WC did great rallying the Brits during the battle of Brittian and the North African campaign. The UK, with a total population of 47m lost over 450,000 people. The USA, with a population of 131m, lost 420,000.

From my studies I don't believe Britain could have beaten the Nazies one on one but it would have also been quite the endeavor for Hitler to cross the channel. GB and Russia continuing two fronts could have possibly won without the Americans but it would have taken much longer and a unified National Socialist Germany would have still existed after it was over.

 

[EPC FAN]

1. Chatting With Truman

U.S. President Harry S. Truman once defended Churchill’s replacement, Clement Attlee, by saying “He seems a modest sort of fellow.“

To which, Churchill replied “He’s got a lot to be modest about.“

2. The Boneless Wonder

Complaining about former Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald’s lack of gusto, Churchill said:

“I remember when I was a child, being taken to the celebrated Barnum’s Circus, which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities, but the exhibit on the programme which I most desired to see was the one described as “The Boneless Wonder”. My parents judged that the spectacle would be too demoralising and revolting for my youthful eye and I have waited fifty years, to see the The Boneless Wonder sitting on the Treasury Bench.“

3. On Lord Charles Beresford

When speaking of Lord Charles Beresford, a popular British Admiral and member of Parliament, Churchill said:

“He is one of those orators of whom it was well said: Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say; when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said.“

4. Sheep In Sheep’s Clothing

Poor Ramsay MacDonald just couldn’t catch a break from Winston, who found his apparent lack of a spine frustrating. He once called him “a sheep in sheep’s clothing.“

5. On Stanley Baldwin

Speaking of conservative politician Stanley Baldwin, Churchill said: “I wish Stanley Baldwin no ill, but it would have been much better if he had never lived.“

6. Working Man

Liberal politician Joseph Chamberlain was once a mentor to Churchill, but after a disagreement over free trade, Churchill said “Mr. Chamberlain loves the working man, he loves to see him work.“

7. Churchills

An American novelist named Winston Spencer Churchill came to the attention of a young Winston, who wrote to him:

“Why don’t you go into politics? I mean to be Prime Minister of England: it would be a great lark if you were President of the United States at the same time.“

The American Churchill did indeed go into politics, but never made it to the office of President.

8. Appetizing Appeasers

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.“

9. You Will Still Be Ugly

Churchill was once accused by Bessie Braddock of being drunk, the exchange went something along the lines of:

Bessie: “Winston, you are drunk.“

Winston: “My dear, you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.“

10. One At A Time

After being disturbed on the toilet by the Lord Privy Seal, Winston said “Tell him I can only deal with one sh-t at a time!”

11. de Gaulle’s New Groove

Of French general and statesman Charles de Gaulle, Churchill said:

“What can you do with a man who looks like a female llama surprised when bathing?“

12. Equals

“All dogs look up to you; all cats look down on you… only the pig looks at you as an equal.“

13. Smallest Amount of Thought

More venom for Ramsay MacDonald — “We know that he has, more than any other man, the gift of compressing the largest amount of words into the smallest amount of thought.“

Number 3 reminds me of what Will Rogers said about Calvin Coolidge. "Calvin Coolidge, he don't say to much, and when he does, he don't say to much."

 

[LionJim]

Not sure what caused that outburst. Clearly, UK alone, was no match for the Nazis. However, WC did great rallying the Brits during the battle of Brittian and the North African campaign. The UK, with a total population of 47m lost over 450,000 people. The USA, with a population of 131m, lost 420,000.

Let's not forget the contributions of the Bletchley Park people such as Alan Turing. Also you gotta factor in the introduction of radar. A lot of things went well for the Allies in WW2. But Churchill kept the kingdom together during some really dark days. He's okay in my book.

 

[aalion]

While not necessarily funny, and I love the quips listed here, my favorite Churchill quote is:

"You have enemies? Good. That means you stood up for something in your life.".

 

[mn78psu83]

1. Chatting With Truman

U.S. President Harry S. Truman once defended Churchill’s replacement, Clement Attlee, by saying “He seems a modest sort of fellow.“

To which, Churchill replied “He’s got a lot to be modest about.“

2. The Boneless Wonder

Complaining about former Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald’s lack of gusto, Churchill said:

“I remember when I was a child, being taken to the celebrated Barnum’s Circus, which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities, but the exhibit on the programme which I most desired to see was the one described as “The Boneless Wonder”. My parents judged that the spectacle would be too demoralising and revolting for my youthful eye and I have waited fifty years, to see the The Boneless Wonder sitting on the Treasury Bench.“

3. On Lord Charles Beresford

When speaking of Lord Charles Beresford, a popular British Admiral and member of Parliament, Churchill said:

“He is one of those orators of whom it was well said: Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say; when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said.“

4. Sheep In Sheep’s Clothing

Poor Ramsay MacDonald just couldn’t catch a break from Winston, who found his apparent lack of a spine frustrating. He once called him “a sheep in sheep’s clothing.“

5. On Stanley Baldwin

Speaking of conservative politician Stanley Baldwin, Churchill said: “I wish Stanley Baldwin no ill, but it would have been much better if he had never lived.“

6. Working Man

Liberal politician Joseph Chamberlain was once a mentor to Churchill, but after a disagreement over free trade, Churchill said “Mr. Chamberlain loves the working man, he loves to see him work.“

7. Churchills

An American novelist named Winston Spencer Churchill came to the attention of a young Winston, who wrote to him:

“Why don’t you go into politics? I mean to be Prime Minister of England: it would be a great lark if you were President of the United States at the same time.“

The American Churchill did indeed go into politics, but never made it to the office of President.

8. Appetizing Appeasers

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.“

9. You Will Still Be Ugly

Churchill was once accused by Bessie Braddock of being drunk, the exchange went something along the lines of:

Bessie: “Winston, you are drunk.“

Winston: “My dear, you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.“

10. One At A Time

After being disturbed on the toilet by the Lord Privy Seal, Winston said “Tell him I can only deal with one sh-t at a time!”

11. de Gaulle’s New Groove

Of French general and statesman Charles de Gaulle, Churchill said:

“What can you do with a man who looks like a female llama surprised when bathing?“

12. Equals

“All dogs look up to you; all cats look down on you… only the pig looks at you as an equal.“

13. Smallest Amount of Thought

More venom for Ramsay MacDonald — “We know that he has, more than any other man, the gift of compressing the largest amount of words into the smallest amount of thought.“

In a different vein, but:

"Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you."

 

[Randal7]

Churchill is awesome. Really awesome. "A Walk with Destiny" on netflix is a great movie.

 

[Tri-Power65]

Sir Winston Churchill on Islam (1899). Still true over 100 years later...

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries!
Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy.

The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.

A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it.

No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."