Flashman (The Flashman Papers, #1)

by George MacDonald Fraser

Some human faults are military virtues, like stupidity, and arrogance, and narrow-mindedness.

I have always made a point of being civil to anyone who might ever be of use to me.

ignorance and stupidity formed a perfect shield against the world: this, I suppose, is innocence.

she knew the ninety-seven ways of making love that the Hindus are supposed to set much store by—though mind you, it is all nonsense, for the seventy-fourth position turns out to be the same as the seventy-third, but with your fingers crossed.

I give the advice for what it is worth: if you wish to learn a foreign tongue properly, study it in bed with a native girl—

“Heroes draw no higher wages than the others, boy. Sleep well.”

I have observed, in the course of a dishonest life, that when a rogue is outlining a treacherous plan, he works harder to convince himself than to move his hearers.

give a dog a good name and he’s everyone’s pet.

“The insults of an enemy are a tribute to the brave,”