Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources / Including Phrases, Mottoes, Maxims, Proverbs, Definitions, Aphorisms, and Sayings of Wise Men, in Their Bearing on Life, Literature, Speculation, Science, Art, Religion, and Morals, Especially in the Modern Aspects of Them

by Rev. James Wood

Vorwärts—Forward. M. of Blücher.

Vorwärts musst du / Denn rückwärts kannst du nun nicht mehr—Forwards must thou, for backwards canst thou now no more. Schiller.

Vos finesses sont cousues de fil blanc—Your arts are easily seen through (lit. sewed with white thread). Fr. Pr.

Vota vita mea—My life is devoted. M. 35

Vote it as you please; there is a company of poor men that will spend all their blood before they see it settled so. Cromwell.

Votes should be weighed, not counted. Schiller.

Vouloir c'est pouvoir—Where there's a will, there's a way (lit. to will is to be able). Fr. Pr.

Vous bridez le cheval par la queue—You begin at the wrong end (lit. bridle the horse by the tail). Fr. Pr.

Vous êtes orfèvre, Monsieur Josse!—You are a 40 goldsmith, Monsieur Josse! i.e., an interested party. Molière.

Vous ne jouez donc pas le whist, Monsieur? Hélas! quelle triste vieillesse vous vous préparez!—Not play at whist, sir? Alas! what a dreary old age you are preparing for yourself. Talleyrand.