In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many British and American writers, poets, actors, comedians, journalists, lawyers, politicians and statesmen seemed to be capable of saying the nastiest of things in the nicest of ways; or at least in such a way that they do not immediately seem to be deriding the object of their contempt. Here is a fine selection of derisive quotations from that period.
“He had delusions of adequacy.”
Walter Kerr [American writer and theatre critic, 1913-1996]
“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.”
Winston Churchill [British politician and historian, 1874-1965]
“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.”
Clarence Darrow [American lawyer, 1857-1938]
“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it.”
Mark Twain [American writer and teacher, 1835-1910]
“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.”
Oscar Wilde [British writer and poet, 1854-1900]
“He is a self-made man and worships his creator.”
John Bright [British statesman and orator, 1811-1889]
“I’ve just learnt about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.”
Irvin S. Cobb [American author and journalist, 1876-1944]
“He loves nature, in spite of what it did to him.”
Forrest Tucker [American actor, 1919-1986]
“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”
Oscar Wilde [British writer and poet, 1854-1900]
“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening, but I’m afraid this wasn’t it.”
Groucho Marx [American actor and writer, 1890-1977]
“He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.”
Abraham Lincoln [American politician and lawyer, 1809-1865]
“There’s nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.”
Jack E. Leonard [American actor and comedian, 1910-1973]
“They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.”
Thomas B. Reed [American lawyer, writer and politician, 1839-1902]
Your comments are always very welcome.
Ingliando 
It is credited to Winston Churchill the following reply. Lord Churchill was inside the Parliament House as Prime Minister when a lady, member of the opposition political party, told him he was a hateful person and if she was his wife, she would serve him a poisoned cup of tea. Churchill promptly replied: and if I was your husband I would drink it joyfully.
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Look at the picture here, Giuseppe! 😉
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Wonderful!
All of them 😉🌹🌹🌹
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😀👍
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