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Boyle Roche
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Sir Boyle Roche, 1st Baronet (October 1736 – 5 June 1807) was an Irish politician, famed for his highly ornamented and often inaccurate speech, which often included amusing mixed metaphors and malapropisms.
Quotes
...it is impossible I could have been in two places at once, unless I were a bird.
In parliament, alluding to Jevon’s play, The Devil of a Wife.
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
There is no Levitical decree between nations, and on this occasion I can see neither sin nor shame in marrying our own sister.
In parliament, defending the proposed union of Ireland with Great Britain.
Barrington Jonah Personal sketches and recollections of his own times Chapter XVII
Why we should put ourselves out of our way to do anything for posterity, for what has posterity ever done for us?
In a debate in the Irish House of Commons on the vote of a grant which was recommended by Sir John Parnell, Chancellor of the Exchequer, as one not likely to be felt burdensome for many years to come, it was observed in reply that the House had no right to load posterity with a debt for what could in no degree operate to their advantage. This quotation was Sir Boyle's response.
Barrington Jonah Personal sketches and recollections of his own times Chapter XVII
It would surely be better … to give up not only a part, but, if necessary, even the whole, of our constitution, to preserve the remainder!
Arguing for the habeas corpus suspension bill in Ireland.
Barrington Jonah Personal sketches and recollections of his own times Chapter XVII
Falkiner C. Litton Studies in Irish History and Biography, mainly of the Eighteenth Century 1902 Longmans, Green, and Co. New York Sir Boyle Roche p.237
[...they] would cut us to mincemeat, and throw our bleeding heads on that table to stare us in the face.
In disparagement of the French revolution and its practitioners.
Barrington Jonah Personal sketches and recollections of his own times Chapter XVII
The best way to avoid danger is to meet it plump.
In parliament.
Falkiner C. Litton Studies in Irish History and Biography, mainly of the Eighteenth Century 1902 Longmans, Green, and Co. New York Sir Boyle Roche p.229
I hope, my lord, if you ever come within a mile of my house that you will stay there all night.
In a letter.
Falkiner C. Litton Studies in Irish History and Biography, mainly of the Eighteenth Century 1902 Longmans, Green, and Co. New York Sir Boyle Roche p.230
[...I] answer boldly in the affirmative with an emphatic No!
Occasion unknown.
Falkiner C. Litton Studies in Irish History and Biography, mainly of the Eighteenth Century 1902 Longmans, Green, and Co. New York Sir Boyle Roche p.237
Misattributed
A quart bottle should hold a quart.
The title of a bill in the Irish House of Commons. Often misquoted as "a pint bottle should hold a quart."
Falkiner C. Litton Studies in Irish History and Biography, mainly of the Eighteenth Century 1902 Longmans, Green, and Co. New York Sir Boyle Roche p.230
About
Herodotus is not more indisputably the father of history than is Sir Boyle Roche the father of Bulls. No doubt there were makers of bulls before his day, even as brave men lived before Agamemnon; but they are not remembered, and if their bulls have survived them they are credited to Sir Boyle by a posterity generously forgiving and forgetful of his famous indictment.
Falkiner C. Litton Studies in Irish History and Biography, mainly of the Eighteenth Century 1902 Longmans, Green, and Co. New York Sir Boyle Roche p.228
...as Sir Boyle Roche would say, like the last rose of summer...
Disraeli Benjamin The Young Duke 1831
External links
Category:Politicians from Ireland
Category:1736 births
Category:1807 deaths