George Henry Borrow Quotes & Sayings

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

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

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

We must walk before we run. — George Henry Borrow

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

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

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

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