<p>A few quotes are etched in my memory for their pregnant meaning. <br /><br /></p>.<p>There are many quotes worth remembering for their sheer vacuousness. Take for example the famous dictum: We will bow to the people’s verdict. We will hear this from many a distressed neta whose plans have been turned upside down by a disgruntled electorate. What else can the displaced neta do than to go home and sulk? Yet he has the audacity to say that he will bow to the verdict as if he is doing a favour.<br /><br />Similar is the reaction to a court case. If the case is pending the politico litigant will say I have full faith in judiciary. Yet, if the verdict is adverse he will go an appeal! Whatever happened to his full faith in judiciary? Another cliche is to say—We are waiting for the full text of the judgment when asked for reaction. This is nothing but a ploy to buy time to carefully craft a face saving response later. <br /><br />Of similar genre is the quote: I have been misquoted. But a few quotes are etched in my memory for their pregnant meaning. Take this, for example: Law is to be interpreted as it is, not as it should be. This is attributed to a Session’s judge in Delhi who was hearing the dynamite case against George Fernandes in the infamous emergency days. Firebrand Fernandes was arguing that the law, which was being held against him, was wrong and it ought to be the way he interpreted it. The learned judge silenced the trade union leader with that repartee. <br /><br />They are interested in living not in life - this gem of a line came from a collector in Gujarat. Fishermen used to venture out into the sea despite warning against killer tidal waves. Many of them would not return having been swallowed by the waves. <br /><br />Asked about this dare devilry the collector explained that if the fishermen did not spread their nets rain or shine or even thunderstorm they had to starve and hence they ignored the weatherman’s caution. Living was more important, life came next was the official’s interpretation. <br /><br />Melody queen Lata was once asked what she felt about the cacophony that passed as filmy music these days. This was her lament: During our days the orchestra was used to give the singers a respite; but these days it is the other way. Well sung, no well said, Didi.<br /><br />‘People living in glass houses should not undress when the lights are on’ needs no explanation. But you will not find these quotes in any quotation book. And perhaps you have such unquoted quotes in your repertoire too.<br /></p>
<p>A few quotes are etched in my memory for their pregnant meaning. <br /><br /></p>.<p>There are many quotes worth remembering for their sheer vacuousness. Take for example the famous dictum: We will bow to the people’s verdict. We will hear this from many a distressed neta whose plans have been turned upside down by a disgruntled electorate. What else can the displaced neta do than to go home and sulk? Yet he has the audacity to say that he will bow to the verdict as if he is doing a favour.<br /><br />Similar is the reaction to a court case. If the case is pending the politico litigant will say I have full faith in judiciary. Yet, if the verdict is adverse he will go an appeal! Whatever happened to his full faith in judiciary? Another cliche is to say—We are waiting for the full text of the judgment when asked for reaction. This is nothing but a ploy to buy time to carefully craft a face saving response later. <br /><br />Of similar genre is the quote: I have been misquoted. But a few quotes are etched in my memory for their pregnant meaning. Take this, for example: Law is to be interpreted as it is, not as it should be. This is attributed to a Session’s judge in Delhi who was hearing the dynamite case against George Fernandes in the infamous emergency days. Firebrand Fernandes was arguing that the law, which was being held against him, was wrong and it ought to be the way he interpreted it. The learned judge silenced the trade union leader with that repartee. <br /><br />They are interested in living not in life - this gem of a line came from a collector in Gujarat. Fishermen used to venture out into the sea despite warning against killer tidal waves. Many of them would not return having been swallowed by the waves. <br /><br />Asked about this dare devilry the collector explained that if the fishermen did not spread their nets rain or shine or even thunderstorm they had to starve and hence they ignored the weatherman’s caution. Living was more important, life came next was the official’s interpretation. <br /><br />Melody queen Lata was once asked what she felt about the cacophony that passed as filmy music these days. This was her lament: During our days the orchestra was used to give the singers a respite; but these days it is the other way. Well sung, no well said, Didi.<br /><br />‘People living in glass houses should not undress when the lights are on’ needs no explanation. But you will not find these quotes in any quotation book. And perhaps you have such unquoted quotes in your repertoire too.<br /></p>
