when up, not know what
going to say – down, do not
know what they have said
Speaking in the House of Commons in the House of Commons on December 20, 1912 in the debate about the Board Of Admiralty And Sea Lords: Resignation of Sir Francis Bridgeman, Winston Churchill said this of Lord Charles Beresford, M.P. –
I have never taken these things too seriously.
I am not one of those who take the Noble Lord too seriously.
I know him too well.
He does not mean to be as offensive as he often is when he is speaking on public platforms.
He is one of those orators of whom it was well said,
“Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say;
when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying;
and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said.”
In this country, and I think on both sides of the House, his measure has been taken, not unfairly, but harm is done and has been done often abroad in other countries by the reckless statements which he makes …
This was in 1912.
Two years before the Great War.
Twenty Seven years until 1939 when World War 2 started.
Twenty Eight years until Churchill became Prime Minister.
By all accounts this was said in debate.
No doubt Mr. Churchill had his quote ready to be used if he found the appropriate moment.
What I find interesting in reading the account in the official record of the House of Commons …
No one in the House, no one from the same side of the aisle as Lord Charles … no body rose to say anything in his defence.
As Mr. Churchill said, “In this country, and I think on both sides of the House, his measure has been taken, not unfairly …”
As for the politicians and their minions today with access to social media … I can imagine what Mr. Churchill might say because this fits so well anytime anyone says anything on behalf of that current man in office or the issues created by that current man in office being in office.
Anytime anyone connected in anyway with anything starts to talk or type or tweet or whatever they do …
Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say …
When they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying …
And when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said!
Oh, bur Mr. Churchill would have had a field day with those people today!
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