George V of the United Kingdom
George V (1865–1936) was the son of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. He was king of the United Kingdom from 1910 until his death. His reign saw political changes, including the First World War and the birth of the British Labour Party.
Sourced quotes
- "I venture to allude to the impression which seemed generally to prevail among their brethren across the seas, that the Old Country must wake up if she intends to maintain her old position of pre-eminence in her Colonial trade against foreign competitors."[1]
- Speech at The Guildhall in 1911.
- Simple: I go to hint at the impression which seemed generally to triumph among their brothers overseas, that the Old Country must wake up if she intends to keep her old position of dominance in her Colonial trade against foreign competition.
- "I pray that my coming to Ireland today may prove to be the first step towards an end of strife among her people, whatever their race or creed. In that hope I appeal to all Irishmen to pause, to stretch out the hand of forbearance and conciliation, to forgive and forget, and to join with me in making for the land they love a new era of peace, contentment and goodwill."[1]
- Speech to the Ulster Party at Stormont, 22 June 1921.
- Simple: I hope that my coming to Ireland today may prove the first step towards an end of conflict among her people, whatever their race or religion. In that hope I make a plea to all Irishmen to stop, to extend the hand of patience and conciliation, to forgive and forget, and to join me in making, for the land they love, a new time of peace, happiness and goodwill.
- "I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war."[1]
- Terlincthun Cemetery, Boulogne, 13 May 1922.
- Simple: I have asked myself many times whether there can be more forceful supporters of peace on earth through the years to come than this huge number of silent witnesses to the horror of war.
- "After I am dead, the boy will ruin himself in twelve months."[2]
- Speaking of his son, the future Edward VIII.
- Simple: After I have died, the boy will ruin himself in twelve months.
- "Anything except that damned Mouse."[1]
- A reply to being asked what film he wanted to see.
- Simple: Anything except that bloody mouse.
- "I may be uninspiring, but I'll be damned if I'm an alien!"[1]
- Regarding H. G. Wells's comment about "an alien and uninspiring court".
- Simple: I may be dull, but I will be damned if I am alien.
- What it means: I may be dull, but I will be damned if I am foreign.
- "My father was frightened of his mother; I was frightened of my father, and I am damned well going to see to it that my children are frightened of me."[1]
- Attributed, but most likely apocryphal.
- Simple: My father was afraid of his mother; I was frightened of my father, and I am damned well going to make sure that my children are afraid of me.
Notes
References
- "George V" The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. Ed. Elizabeth Knowles. Oxford University Press, 2004. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Accessed on 20 November 2008
- Middlemas, Keith; Anthony John Lane Barnes (1970). Baldwin: A Biography. London: Macmillan.
