Words matter. These are the best Scoundrel Quotes from famous people such as Michael Crichton, Michael Caine, Sam Kean, Umberto Eco, Naomi Wolf, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled.
I prefer to remake flops. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was a remake of a flop, and The Quiet American is a remake of a flop.
Despite the disreputable company it keeps, bismuth is harmless. In fact, it’s medicinal: Doctors prescribe it to soothe ulcers, and it’s the ‘bis’ in hot-pink Pepto-Bismol. Overall, it seems like the most out-of-place element on the periodic table, a gentleman among scoundrels.
Sometimes you say things with a smile with the precise intention of making it clear that you are not being serious, and are only kidding. If I salute a friend with a smile and say, ‘How are you, you old scoundrel!’ clearly I don’t really mean he’s a scoundrel.
The First Amendment applies to rogues and scoundrels. You don’t lose your First Amendment rights because of a sleazy personality, or even for having committed a crime. Felons in jail are protected by the First Amendment.
There are no morals in politics; there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel.
I love Steve Martin so much, even in ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.’
Every man over forty is a scoundrel.
He who would do good to another must do it in Minute Particulars: general Good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite, and flatterer, for Art and Science cannot exist but in minutely organized Particulars.
I’ve always believed in the old-fashioned way: When you’ve got scoundrels in office, you vote ’em out.
If you are strong and fighting the weak, then if you kill your opponent, then you are a scoundrel… if you let him kill you, then you are an idiot. So here is a dilemma which others have suffered before us, and for which as far as I can see, there is simply no escape.
Truth made you a traitor as it often does in a time of scoundrels.
I’d never painted anything before. I was quite content to take other people’s work since I didn’t care anyway about the subject matter. I approached subject matter as a scoundrel. I had nothing to say about it whatsoever. I only wanted to make these exciting paintings.
A technical objection is the first refuge of a scoundrel.
I’ve looked that old scoundrel death in the eye many times but this time I think he has me on the ropes.
I always knew in my heart Walt Whitman’s mind to be more like my own than any other man’s living. As he is a very great scoundrel this is not a pleasant confession.
Arlen Specter is a scoundrel.
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
‘A Rogue by Any Other Name’ is the first book in the ‘Rules of Scoundrels’ series, centered on a legendary pre-Victorian casino and her four scandalous aristocratic owners.
‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ is a good one because it not only turned out, I think, to be a really funny movie but it was also a delight to shoot. We were in the South of France, working with Glenne Headly and Michael Caine and Frank Oz the director – who were just fun.
A minority group has ‘arrived’ only when it has the right to produce some fools and scoundrels without the entire group paying for it.
Religion is all-too-often a refuge for scoundrels.
A child who does not think about what happens around him and is content with living without wondering whether he lives honestly is like a man who lives from a scoundrel’s work and is on the road to being a scoundrel.
Even the best intentioned of great men need a few scoundrels around them; there are some things you cannot ask an honest man to do.
I’m an advocate of the great Dr. Johnson, the English man of letters who said that patriotism was the last refuge of the scoundrel.
I don’t know what a scoundrel is like, but I know what a respectable man is like, and it’s enough to make one’s flesh creep.
No scoundrel is so stupid as to not find a reason for his vile conduct.
Golf is a game with morals. There’s always an opportunity to be a scoundrel. That’s why it’s a gentleman’s game.
In revolutions authority remains with the greatest scoundrels.
Whoever thinks of going to bed before twelve o’clock is a scoundrel.
Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.
If Heaven had looked upon riches to be a valuable thing, it would not have given them to such a scoundrel.
Any number of scoundrels, having money enough to start with, can establish themselves as a ‘government’; because, with money, they can hire soldiers, and with soldiers extort more money; and also compel general obedience to their will.
