Quote

If you take a man by surprise, and behave with sufficient arrogance, he will generally do what you ask. -Emerson

Barbara Mertz

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Barbara Mertz
Age: 85 †
Born: 1927
Born: September 29
Died: 2013
Died: August 8
Archaeologist
Author
Egyptologist
Novelist
Writer
Canton
Illinois
Elizabeth Peters
Barbara Michaels
Barbara Louise Mertz
Take
Men
Emerson
Arrogance
Behave
Sufficient
Generally
Surprise
Asks

More quotes by Barbara Mertz

Image
there is nothing like a garden to rest the soul.
Barbara Mertz
Image
I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be the respected patriarch of an ordinary English family. Very boring, Emerson.
Barbara Mertz
Image
Nefret had always had an uncanny ability to read his thoughts. 'Did she cry?' she asked sweetly. 'And then you kissed her? You shouldn't have done that. I'm sure you meant well, but kissing someone out of pity is always a mistake.
Barbara Mertz
Image
A fondness for martyrdom, especially of the verbal variety, is common to the young.
Barbara Mertz
Image
..he continues to cling to the forlorn hope that I will turn into one of those swooning females...and fling myself squeeling at him whenever anything happens. Like all men, he clings to his illusions.
Barbara Mertz
Image
Humor is an excellent method of keeping a tight rein on unproductive displays of emotion.
Barbara Mertz
Image
The only people who are not in awe of Emerson's powerful voice and well-nigh superhuman strength are the members of his own family. He is aware of this, and often complains about it so from time to time I like to put on a little show of being intimidated. 'Proceed, my dear,' I said apologetically.
Barbara Mertz
Image
I do not scruple to employ mendacity and a fictitious appearance of female incompetence when the occasion demands it.
Barbara Mertz
Image
Giving other people advice is one of the most irritating and useless activities known to man.
Barbara Mertz
Image
It's not unsporting to thrash a cowardly cad,' said Simmons. 'Everyone knows you don't fight like a gentleman.' 'That might be called an oxymoron,' Ramses said. 'Oh--sorry. Bad form to use long words. Look it up when you get home.' The poor devil didn't know how to fight, like a gentleman or otherwise.
Barbara Mertz
Image
a church ought to express the joy of religion as well as its majesty.
Barbara Mertz
Image
Reputations are shaped not by facts but by prejudices.
Barbara Mertz
Image
Superstition has its practical uses.
Barbara Mertz
Image
Your trousers are on fire. I would have told you, but you so dislike advice.
Barbara Mertz
Image
I have learned that particularly clever ideas do not always stand up under close scrutiny.
Barbara Mertz
Image
Martyrdom is often the result of excessive gullibility.
Barbara Mertz
Image
I disapprove of matrimony as a matter of principle.... Why should any independent, intelligent female choose to subject herself to the whims and tyrannies of a husband? I assure you, I have yet to meet a man as sensible as myself! (Amelia Peabody)
Barbara Mertz
Image
Noble causes have a deplorable effect on the morals of the persons who espouse them.
Barbara Mertz
Image
I can do a book in three months if I spend all day, seven days a week at it and, in fact, I work better that way.
Barbara Mertz
Image
A lady cannot be blamed if a master criminal takes a fancy to her.
Barbara Mertz