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Updating Voltaire - 10/20/2005 5:40:43 PM

WickedKev

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It is understood Blair and Bush are updating the sayings attributed to Voltaire. His;

"I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Now becomes;

"I do not agree with a word you say, and I will lock you up under the prevention of terrorism act, and our new censorship laws for uttering it."

_____________________________

Those who can make you believe absurdities
can make you commit atrocities.
—Voltaire

It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong
—Voltaire

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RE: Updating Voltaire - 10/20/2005 5:56:57 PM

Lordandmaster

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L'hypocrisie est un hommage que le vice rend à la vertu.

I thought that was Voltaire, but I just looked it up, and I was wrong; it's de la Rochefoucauld.

Seems to fit though.

Edited because I fucked up the French the first time around.

< Message edited by Lordandmaster -- 10/20/2005 5:58:06 PM >

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RE: Updating Voltaire - 10/21/2005 11:54:58 AM

frenchpet

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Your mention of Blair and Bush just reminded me of Chateaubriand talking about Talleyrand and Fouché together : "Le vice appuyé sur le bras du crime" (=vice leaning on the arm of crime)
Talleyrand is the guy about whom the emperor of Corsica rightly said "Tenez, vous êtes de la merde dans un bas de soie" (You are shit in a silk stocking).

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RE: Updating Voltaire - 10/21/2005 11:57:40 AM

Lordandmaster

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Chateaubriand is a kind of delicious steak, isn't it?

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RE: Updating Voltaire - 10/21/2005 2:24:08 PM

frenchpet

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lordandmaster

Chateaubriand is a kind of delicious steak, isn't it?

Yes. It was so delicious that Victor Hugo, aged 14, wrote in his notebook : "Je veux être Chateaubriand ou rien". Victor Hugo failed at turning into a delicious steak and then became the best french poet, alas. The "alas" is from André Gide, a porn writer, according to the standards of his time...

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RE: Updating Voltaire - 10/21/2005 3:21:43 PM

Lordandmaster

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I thought so. It WAS fucking delicious, but I wouldn't want to turn into a steak. Of course, I wouldn't mind turning into Victor Hugo.

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