Never, Never, Never!

Tonight the Quotidians, a group of like minded quote-lovers, took up the words of one of the world’s most prolific speakers—Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister (1940 to 1945 and then again 1951 to 1955) who among other things enjoyed numerous daily Cuban cigars, cocktails for breakfast, chatting with Queen Elizabeth, and pouring over “Bartletts Familiar Quotations.”

He was of the opinion that the reading and rereading of positive quotes uplifts the mind and “engraves the memory with good thoughts.”

As usual, the meeting opened with a pre-chosen member standing up and reciting a favorite quote of the person at hand, in this case Sir Winston Churchill.

“Altitude,” said the first speaker triumphantly, “is a little thing that makes a big difference,” but before he could continue he was interrupted by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

“It’s NOT altitude he said shaking his head…it’s attitude! If you’re going to quote Sir Winston Churchill, at least get the quote right.”

“I know my Churchill and I’m not backing down! It is Altitude! I follow his advice to the letter and like he said, ‘Never give in…never, never, never, never, never…in nothing great or small, large or petty…never give in.’”

“There you go again,” said the Sergeant. “You have too many ‘nevers’! Sir Winston would never use that many!”

As they continued arguing, one of my colleagues and fellow librarian seated to my right said, “I think they’ve both gone over the line. It reminds me of the Churchill quote, ‘A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind, or won’t change the subject.”

“Yes, and change is the key word here,” said another member. “I love changing my mind and changing the subject, and to quote Winston, ‘To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.’”

“So,” said someone else, “I suppose then…you think you’re perfect!” There was silence in the room, as everyone turned their attention to the last speaker.

“I will answer that by using one of the Prime Ministers most ‘splendid expressions,’ and one he enjoyed using time and time again and that is ‘No Comment!’”

“All very well…but we seem to have wasted our time bickering and now we don’t have the time to discuss some of his more important quotes such as, ‘I am sure of this…you only have to endure to conquer.’”

Then, one of the group coordinators said, “What about ‘Let our advance worry become our advance thinking and planning.’ Of course,” he went on, “we would all like to continue but our allotted time is over. At our next meeting, I move that we plan our time better!”

“I second the motion,” said the Parliamentarian. “And now I would like to end tonight’s session with the thought of revisiting more of the Prime Minister’s words some time soon, and also with the quote that is quite appropriate under the circumstances.” He paused and looked around making sure he had everyone’s attention before reciting the final Sir Winston quote of the evening.

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

“Here, here!” said the group in unison, bringing the meeting to a close.