The Germans are the most philosophic people in the world, and the greatest smokers: now I trace their philosophy to their smoking. Smoking has a sedative effect upon the nerves, and enables a man to bear the sorrows of this life (of which every one has his share) not only decently, but dignifiedly.

George Henry Borrow

Categorized in : People Philosophy Men

There's night and day, brother, both sweet things; sun, moon, and stars, brother, all sweet things; there's likewise a wind on the heath. Life is very sweet, brother; who would wish to die?

George Henry Borrow

brother sweet life

We must walk before we run.

George Henry Borrow

hiking journey running

Sherry...a silly, sickly compound, the use of which will transform a nation, however bold and warlike by nature, into a race of sketchers, scribblers, and punsters, in fact into what Englishmen are at the present day.

George Henry Borrow

race use silly

There is a peculiarity in the countenance, as everybody knows, which, though it cannot be described, is sure to betray the Englishman.

George Henry Borrow

countenance englishmen betray

There are no countries in the world less known by the British than those selfsame British Islands.

George Henry Borrow

islands country world

I am invariably of the politics of the people at whose table I sit, or beneath whose roof I sleep.

George Henry Borrow

tables sleep people

Never ride your horse more than five-and-thirty miles a day, always taking more care of him than of yourself; which is right and reasonable, seeing as how the horse is the best animal of the two.

George Henry Borrow

horse animal two

If you must commit suicide ... always contrive to do it as decorously as possible; the decencies, whether of life or of death, should never be lost sight of.

George Henry Borrow

suicidal suicide sight

Youth will be served, every dog has his day, and mine has been a fine one.

George Henry Borrow

fine youth dog

It has been said that idleness is the parent of mischief, which is very true; but mischief itself is merely an attempt to escape from the dreary vacuum of idleness.

George Henry Borrow

vacuums laziness parent

A losing trade, I assure you, sir: literature is a drug.

George Henry Borrow

drug losing literature

I have always been a friend to hero-worship; it is the only rational one, and has always been in use amongst civilized people - the worship of spirits is synonymous with barbarism - it is mere fetish. ... There is something philosophic in the worship of the heroes of the human race.

George Henry Borrow

race hero people

Translation is at best an echo.

George Henry Borrow

translations echoes language

Next to the love of God, the love of country is the best preventive of crime.

George Henry Borrow

next god-love country

Two great talkers will not travel far together.

George Henry Borrow

breakup together two

Good ale, the true and proper drink of Englishmen. He is not deserving of the name of Englishman who speaketh against ale, that is good ale.

George Henry Borrow

ale names beer