He who is most silent plots revenge?

July 28, 2009 7:10 PM

Who was quoted as saying something along the lines of "He who is most silent plots revenge?"

I recall the quote from a British writer in an old English textbook. The author might not be British though, that's just what I remember it as. I'm sure my paraphrase of the quote is wrong but I'm certain that it has the correct meaning, if not specific words.

posted by DolorousEdd to grab bag (7 comments total)

"My two greatest needs and desires -- smoking cigarettes and plotting revenge -- are basically solitary pursuits."-- Fran Liebowitz

Probably not what you're after, but I've always liked that one.
posted by rokusan at 7:22 PM on July 28 [4 favorites]

Something similar is said in the movie "Fear of a Black Hat:"

Nina Blackburn: They say it's the quiet ones that you have to watch out for.
Tasty Taste: And, if you've noticed, I ain't said shit for a couple minutes now.
posted by Frank Grimes at 7:22 PM on July 28 [1 favorite]

Could it be "You will find that silence or very gentle words are the most exquisite revenge for insult." -Judge Hall
Not sure who that is since Google doesn't really help there, most quote sites attribute it to him though.
posted by Deflagro at 7:26 PM on July 28 [1 favorite]

Not what you are looking for but also brought to mind:

Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look,
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous.

Shakespeare, Julius Caesar.
posted by sourwookie at 9:16 PM on July 28 [1 favorite]

One of the best four episodes in Saturday Night Live's history...

Tailor: John was a quiet boy, a kind of a loner.
Ted Koppel: Do you believe he killed Buckwheat?
Tailor: Oh, yes, definitely. That’s all he ever talked about.

(From "Buckwheat Dead: America Mourns")

Brought to you by Mutual Life: because you could die tomorrow.
posted by rokusan at 11:41 PM on July 28

One of my favourite quotes of all time.

'Beware the fury of a patient man' by John Dryden
posted by TheOtherGuy at 1:00 AM on July 29 [2 favorites]

Damn! None of the quotes are it so far but there are some super cool ones hah!
posted by DolorousEdd at 11:43 AM on July 29