Examples of Biting Sarcasm ….
Thomas Carlyle observed – “Sarcasm, I now seem to believe, is the language of the devil. Hence I have long since renounced it”,
That notwithstanding, here are some notable uses of sarcastic wit used to flatten the offender.
An MP to Disraeli, “Sir, you shall either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease”, only to hear Disraeli respond, “That depends, Sir, whether I embrace your policies or your mistress”.
”I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend, if you have one.” – George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill, who replied, ”Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second - if there is one.”
“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” – Oscar Wilde.
”He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” – Winston Churchill.
“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” Clarence Darrow.
“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.” – William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).
“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.” – Moses Hadas.
“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” – Mark Twain
“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends..” – Oscar Wilde.
“I feel so miserable without you. It’s almost like having you here.” – Stephen Bishop.
“He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” – John Bright.
“I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.” – Irvin S. Cobb.
“He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” – Samuel Johnson.
“In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.” – Talleyrand.
“He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.” – Forrest Tucker.
“Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” – Mark Twain.
“He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” – Billy Wilder.
“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.” – Groucho Marx
