The Sentencerist
@sentencerist.bsky.social
Sharing sharp sentences.
"We [the English] have evolved a language that always means more than it says. With Americans it is the reverse: they mean and feel far less than they have the habit of saying...The outward cynic may live in the States, but the fundamental ones, the true quietists, live in Britain."
John Fowles
John Fowles
November 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
"We [the English] have evolved a language that always means more than it says. With Americans it is the reverse: they mean and feel far less than they have the habit of saying...The outward cynic may live in the States, but the fundamental ones, the true quietists, live in Britain."
John Fowles
John Fowles
"Dear old Bicky, though a stout fellow and absolutely unrivalled as an imitator of bull-terriers and cats, was in many ways one of the most pronounced fatheads that ever pulled on a suit of gents’ underwear."
Jeeves and the Hard Boiled Egg, PG Wodehouse
Jeeves and the Hard Boiled Egg, PG Wodehouse
September 1, 2025 at 12:05 AM
"Dear old Bicky, though a stout fellow and absolutely unrivalled as an imitator of bull-terriers and cats, was in many ways one of the most pronounced fatheads that ever pulled on a suit of gents’ underwear."
Jeeves and the Hard Boiled Egg, PG Wodehouse
Jeeves and the Hard Boiled Egg, PG Wodehouse
"If there’s anything today’s historians agree about when it comes to Amasa Leland Stanford, it’s that he was a relatively unexceptional guy blessed with extraordinary timing...Leland liked reading more than he liked working, and he didn’t like reading all that much."
"Palo Alto," Malcolm Harris
"Palo Alto," Malcolm Harris
August 21, 2025 at 9:38 PM
"If there’s anything today’s historians agree about when it comes to Amasa Leland Stanford, it’s that he was a relatively unexceptional guy blessed with extraordinary timing...Leland liked reading more than he liked working, and he didn’t like reading all that much."
"Palo Alto," Malcolm Harris
"Palo Alto," Malcolm Harris
"Mr. Suttree in what year did your great uncle pass away?
It was in 1884.
Did he die by natural causes?
No, sir.
What were the circumstances surrounding his death.
He was taking part in a public function when the platform gave way.
Our information is that he was hanged for a homicide.
Yessir."
It was in 1884.
Did he die by natural causes?
No, sir.
What were the circumstances surrounding his death.
He was taking part in a public function when the platform gave way.
Our information is that he was hanged for a homicide.
Yessir."
February 20, 2025 at 10:24 PM
"Mr. Suttree in what year did your great uncle pass away?
It was in 1884.
Did he die by natural causes?
No, sir.
What were the circumstances surrounding his death.
He was taking part in a public function when the platform gave way.
Our information is that he was hanged for a homicide.
Yessir."
It was in 1884.
Did he die by natural causes?
No, sir.
What were the circumstances surrounding his death.
He was taking part in a public function when the platform gave way.
Our information is that he was hanged for a homicide.
Yessir."
"She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news."
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
February 19, 2025 at 11:35 PM
"She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news."
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Does this sentence sound familiar? Gabriel Garcia Marquez read it in "Pedro Paramo" first!
January 8, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Does this sentence sound familiar? Gabriel Garcia Marquez read it in "Pedro Paramo" first!
"His skull was dark and small like a corroded musket bullet and his eyes behind the gleaming of his glasses were the twin miniatures of his head." Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
January 6, 2025 at 5:41 PM
"His skull was dark and small like a corroded musket bullet and his eyes behind the gleaming of his glasses were the twin miniatures of his head." Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
Virgil, Georgics
January 2, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Virgil, Georgics
goodbye 2024 (Sabotage, 1936)
January 1, 2025 at 6:10 AM
goodbye 2024 (Sabotage, 1936)
"I'm not absolutely certain of the facts, but I rather fancy it's Shakespeare who says that it's always just when a fellow is feeling particularly braced with things in general that Fate sneaks up behind him with the bit of lead piping."
PG Wodehouse, Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest, 1916
PG Wodehouse, Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest, 1916
December 30, 2024 at 7:21 PM
"I'm not absolutely certain of the facts, but I rather fancy it's Shakespeare who says that it's always just when a fellow is feeling particularly braced with things in general that Fate sneaks up behind him with the bit of lead piping."
PG Wodehouse, Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest, 1916
PG Wodehouse, Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest, 1916
Seven Chances, 1925
December 30, 2024 at 1:51 AM
Seven Chances, 1925
Nosferatu, 1922
December 29, 2024 at 8:10 PM
Nosferatu, 1922
The Black Cat, 1934
December 24, 2024 at 9:54 PM
The Black Cat, 1934
get your flu shot
December 21, 2024 at 4:12 AM
get your flu shot
The Firemen's Ball, 1967
December 20, 2024 at 6:31 PM
The Firemen's Ball, 1967
“Gains had a malicious childlike smile that formed a shocking contrast to his eyes which were pale blue, lifeless and old. He smiled, listening down into himself as if attending to something there that pleased him.” - William S. Burroughs, Junky
November 27, 2024 at 5:24 AM
“Gains had a malicious childlike smile that formed a shocking contrast to his eyes which were pale blue, lifeless and old. He smiled, listening down into himself as if attending to something there that pleased him.” - William S. Burroughs, Junky
new spirit animal just dropped
November 25, 2024 at 9:24 PM
new spirit animal just dropped
From "Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga" by Hunter S. Thompson
November 15, 2024 at 12:11 PM
From "Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga" by Hunter S. Thompson
hitchcock said the actual filming always felt like an afterthought
October 28, 2024 at 3:52 AM
hitchcock said the actual filming always felt like an afterthought
When your extrovert friend drags you to the party.
October 22, 2024 at 4:23 PM
When your extrovert friend drags you to the party.