“The literary faculty of classical scholars is poor, and sometimes worse.” A characteristically unsparing judgement on his own profession · Introductory Lecture, University College London, 1892 Criticism Literature Wit
“That is indeed very good. I shall have to repeat that on the Golden Floor.” Responding with characteristic humour to a risqué story shortly before his death · Last recorded words to his physician, 1936 Death Humour Wit
“I find Cambridge an asylum, in every sense of the word.” A compact pun on Cambridge as both refuge and madhouse · Conversation, recorded by Grant Richards Home Humour Wit
“If Mr Symons ever feels sad, he ought to be able to cheer himself up by contemplating his handwriting.” An example of Housman's famously sharp epistolary wit · Letter to Grant Richards Humour Wit Writing
“Most men are rather stupid, and most of those who are not stupid are, consequently, rather vain.” An acid example of Housman's characteristic scholarly wit · Lecture, The Application of Thought to Textual Criticism, 1921 Character Humanity Wit
“Because a man is not a born critic, he need not therefore act like a born fool.” Arguing that disciplined thought can compensate for limited natural aptitude · Lecture, The Application of Thought to Textual Criticism, 1921 Criticism Discipline Wit
