No Nonsense Quotes

• There is no nonsense so errant that it cannot be made the creed of the vast majority by adequate governmental action.

  Bertrand Russell

  Knowledge And Power, Government, Majority

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• There is no nonsense so gross that society will not, at some time, make a doctrine of it and defend it with every weapon of communal stupidity.

  Robertson Davies

  Stupid, History, Doctrine

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• Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense.

  Robert Frost

  Forgiveness, Thinking, Forgive Me

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• Of course, Behaviourism 'works'. So does torture. Give me a no-nonsense, down-to-earth behaviourist, a few drugs, and simple electrical appliances, and in six months I will have him reciting the Athanasian Creed in public.

  W. H. Auden

  Funny, Science, Simple

  A CertainWorld "Behaviorism" (1970)

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• Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism - how passionately I hate them!

  Albert Einstein

  Love, Inspirational, Life

  Albert Einstein (2010). “Ideas And Opinions”, p.10, Broadway Books

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• Confidence in nonsense is a requirement for the creative process.

  Epictetus

  Confidence, Creative, Requirements

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• Work smart. Get things done. No nonsense. Move fast.

  Susan Wojcicki

  Smart, Moving, Done

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• Nonsense is to sense, as shade to light; it heightens effect.

  Arthur Frederick Saunders

  Light, Shade, Nonsense

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• Of course,Behaviourism 'works'. So does torture.

  W. H. Auden

  Doe, Torture, Courses

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• Sometimes I think it's possible to mistake desire for clarity and talking in a no-nonsense way for aggression.

  Richard Dawkins

  Mistake, Thinking, Talking

  "Darwin's child". Interview with Simon Hattenstone, www.theguardian.com. February 10, 2003.

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• No Romeo-and-Juliet acts, no nonsense about Love with a large L, none of that popular song claptrap with its skies of blue, dreams come true, heaven with you. Just sensuality for its own sake.

  Aldous Huxley

  Love, Dream, Song

  Aldous Huxley (1993). “After Many a Summer Dies the Swan: A Novel”, p.158, Ivan R. Dee

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• I have a real no-nonsense dad who taught me how to be resilient at a very young age.

  Nicole Ari Parker

  Dad, Real, Age

  "INTERVIEW: Streetcar Star Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe Are a Couple of Smart Actors". Interview with Brian Scott Lipton, www.theatermania.com. April 17, 2012.

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• Take winter as you find him, and he turns out to be a thoroughly honest fellow; with no nonsense in him, which is a great comfort in the long-run.

  James Russell Lowell

  Running, Winter, Long

  James Russell Lowell (1871). “My Study Windows”, p.21

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• People will often, almost always, prefer a male God. A male image of God gives them this sense of security, safety, order, no nonsense. So that's where their psyche is at. Probably it's something that they've got to go through. Not that there isn't a need for order in the world, but the mystical level seems to be the mature level of religion, and there the question is not order but union - divine union. And so, without some integration of the feminine, usually you never get to the mystical level.

  Richard Rohr

  Order, People, Safety

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• I tried a couple of pop writers - none of the big, big, big ones - but it didn't work for me. I do have a commercial voice; I'm not quirky. I'm very normal and that's probably why I like people like Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston. It's no-nonsense. They sing well, and that's it.

  Jessie Ware

  Couple, Voice, People

  Source: pitchfork.com

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• Counterfeit Kings is the King Lear of space operas. Science fiction has a fresh, new, no-nonsense voice and his name is Adam Connell.

  Steven-Elliot Altman

  Kings, Names, Voice

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• As the field of coaching finds its way to becoming a mature discipline, James Flaherty's dedicated field research, study, and sound articulation offers a definitive ground and a sensibility of genuine care. At the core this book offers a way of thinking about human beings that makes action and practice central to learning. This is a no-nonsense, generous, pragmatic book that belongs on the shelf every coach, novice or veteran.

  Richard Strozzi-Heckler

  Book, Thinking, Practice

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• Steve Forman is a brutally funny writer. His no-nonsense, unadorned style begs comparison to Dashiell Hammett, but Hammett's humor at its darkest never hit home this hard. Reading of Eddie Perlmutter's exploits is like rolling in an aisle paved with broken glass and wanting to do it all over again two minutes later.

  Loren D. Estleman

  Reading, Home, Two

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• Johnny Ramone's autobiography is a no holds barred, straight-forward book written in a no-nonsense style that is Johnny personified. His story is written in his own actual words, so the reader gets an insight into what made him the unique, charismatic and exciting individual that he was. It also gives a great view of The Ramones from Johnny's perspective.

  Tommy Ramone

  Book, Unique, Views

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• The people of Ankh-Morpork had a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to entertainment, and while they were looking forward to seeing a dragon slain, they'd be happy to settle instead for seeing someone being baked alive in his own armour. You didn't get the chance every day to see someone baked alive in their own armour. It would be something for the children to remember.

  Terry Pratchett

  Children, Dragons, People

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• In the no-nonsense school of adversity, which we did not choose for ourselves, we are learning how to operate a labor union.

  Cesar Chavez

  School, Adversity, Unions

  Cesar Chavez (2008). “An Organizer's Tale: Speeches”, p.106, Penguin

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• I'll be firm," I promised Patch, adopting a no-nonsense expression. "No backing down." By now Patch was full-on grinning. He kissed me again, and I felt my mouth soften its resolve. "You look cute when you're trying to be tough," he said.

  Becca Fitzpatrick

  Cute, Expression, Trying

  Becca Fitzpatrick (2012). “The Complete Hush, Hush Saga: Hush, Hush; Crescendo; Silence; Finale”, p.1245, Simon and Schuster

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• New Zealand is a pretty no-nonsense place to work like Australia. I mean it doesn't falter to anyone. There's a nice sense of reality on the set and it's really enjoyable. There's a good camaraderie and a good banter between the obviously New Zealand and Australian rivalry.

  Dustin Clare

  Nice, Mean, Reality

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• September is pantyhose month. No nonsense.

  Dave Parker

  Months, September, Nonsense

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• He was a superb military officer but he was also an extraordinarily gifted politician. That he was an unusually open, honest and no-nonsense politician did not make him unsuited for the profession, only uncommon. In uniform and in politics Barry's purpose was always the defense of freedom. And nobody before or since managed the task more ably or more colorfully than Barry Goldwater.

  John McCain

  Military, Tasks, Defense

  "America Says Farewell To Barry Goldwater". www.cnn.com. June 3, 1998.

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