Quotes on Retorts

Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie? I will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth; the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct. All these you may avoid but the Lie Direct; and you may avoid that too, with an If. . . . Your If is the only peace-maker; much virtue in If.

One doesn't come to Italy for niceness," was the retort; "one comes for life. Buon giorno! Buon giorno!

A woman springs a sudden reproach upon you which provokes a hot retort, and then she will presently ask you to apologize.

The thing of courage_x000D_ _x000D_ As rous'd with rage doth sympathise,_x000D_ _x000D_ And, with an accent tun'd in self-same key,_x000D_ _x000D_ Retorts to chiding fortune.