Perceptive Frenchman?

Vara

Vara

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Just reading the new Ian Rankin book and in the frontispiece the following quote:

"It is to Scotland we look for our idea of civilisation."
(Voltaire)


Discuss!
 
Aye, but Voltaire hadn't heard of the Scottish Parliament or the "Numptorium" as one newspaper columnist refers to it.
 
Re: Mahatma Ghandi quote

When asked what he thought about "Western Civilisation"he replied that it would probably be a good idea....
 
the chancellor reckons the current period of growth etc is the best since 1701 which is just before the union of the crowns so if M. Voltaire had had such info at his fingertips, would he not have concluded that civilisation and economic growth are inextricably linked ... ?? jist a thocht ....
 
nonsense! they are emigrating all over the world and interbreeding with other nationalities. the offspring, even after many generations, call themselves scots. (and whinge about the english, culloden and mel gibson).
 
Aye laddie!
I have been to Japan and met yellow ones, USA has black ones, all called Cameron, Alistair, Iain etc, and all sporting kilts and playing bagpipes. The wee laddies from the north have lifted their sporrans all over the world! Nae chance of deing oot al all !!
Programme on telly last night claimed black spirituals and soul music was taught to the slaves by their Scottish masters in Gaelic!!!
 
Re: Perceptive Frenchman - but very old

ah, at the time, very true with er Adam Smith, and although the clever thinking stopped a while ago, replaced by institutionalised freeloading. So, the new "scottish raj" has presided over voting in free things (old age care, universities, etc) for scots but not rest of UK, and france enjoys rather the same happening with france in the EU - having lots of protectionism and farm grants from the EU, but not any foreign people thanks. Ever seen a black person in charge of anything much othjer than a football in France? Is scotland much better? Are these good examaples to copy? Don't think so.
 
[ QUOTE ]
And I always thought that it was Pol Voltaire!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you are confusing him with the Olympic althelete, Pole Vaulter.
 
The berth of the Blues

[ QUOTE ]
Programme on telly last night claimed black spirituals and soul music was taught to the slaves by their Scottish masters in Gaelic!!!

[/ QUOTE ]
Research at the National Folk Song Archive has uncovered the following fragment, probably from the oeuvre of Howlin' Jimi McImposter:


Caledonian Homesick Boat Valeting Blues

Weel… Ah woke up this mornin’
Ma boat was awfy clean
Ah thocht “Ma Goad, whit’s happened?
The Sassenachs have been.

They’ve cleaned out all ma crevices
And scrubbed awa’ ma scurf,
And left ma boat all gleamin’
Ready tae ride the surf.”

This isnae wot Ah wanted,
But since they’ve done it, Hell –
Ah’m gaun' tae take advantage
An' put her up fae sale........
 
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