Bessie Braddock: Sir, you are drunk. Churchill: And you, madam, are ugly. But in the morning, I shall be sober.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A politician insults an accuser by pointing out his own temporary flaw versus hers permanent one.
- In plain terms
- I can change, but you cannot.
- What can you take from it?
- Turn insults back on the accuser.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you handle personal attacks?
- Is wit better than substance?
Another view
This approach escalates conflict rather than resolving it.
More from Winston Churchill
Lady Nancy Astor: Winston, if I were your wife, I'd poison your tea. Churchill: Nancy, if I were your husband, I'd drink it.
Permalink to quote #207 Young man (after seeing Churchill leave the bathroom without washing his hands): At Eton they taught us to wash our hands after using the toilet. Churchill: At…
Permalink to quote #209 It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.
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