30 Smart Comebacks And Insults Said By Historical Figures

Known for his sharp tongue, the 30th president of the United States was asked about a performance he went to see. "What did you think of the singer's execution?", someone asked.

Coolidge responded: "I'm all for it."

Hemingway, who was a prominent figure of American literature, took Faulkner's (an American writer as well) criticism ("He [Hemingway] has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.") lightly:

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"

Dan Quayle was the 44th vice president of the United States from 1989 to 1993, while Bill Clinton is known to be a way more successful figure in US politics (probably not so much in his private life, but we are not here to judge).

Bill Clinton, when told during the 1992 presidential campaign that Vice President Dan Quayle intended to be a pit-bull against opponents, savagely responded:

"That's got every fire hydrant in America worried."

The infamous remark was made during the 1988 United States vice-presidential debate by Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Lloyd Bentsen to Republican vice-presidential candidate Senator Dan Quayle.

Quayle: <...> I have far more experience than many others that sought the office of vice president of this country. I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. <...>

Bentsen: Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.

Hunter S. Thompson, the author of 'Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas' never held back when it came to commenting on politicians, especially Richard Nixon. However, he did have some things to say about former vice president Hubert Humphrey:

"They don't hardly make 'em like Hubert anymore - but just to be on the safe side, he should be castrated anyway."

Georges Clemenceau, a French politician and Prime Minister of France during the First World War, was talking at the Versailles Peace Conference in 1919. He proposed the harshest terms against Germany. Someone noted that historians would be arguing for generations over who was responsible for starting the Great War.

"Yes," Clemenceau responded, "but one thing is certain: They will not say that Belgium invaded Germany."

Niels Bohr was a Danish physicist and philosopher awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922.

Reporter: Can it be that you, of all people, believe a horseshoe will bring you good luck?

Bohr: Of course not, but I understand it brings you luck whether you believe it or not.

The two life-long boxing opponents Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were known to exchange witty and humorous insults between one another. However, some think that this one time Muhammad might have taken a step too far.

After Frazier's remark ("He's phony, using his blackness to get his way"), Ali replied: 

"Joe Frazier is so ugly he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wildlife."

Henry Louis Mencken was an American journalist, satirist and cultural critic. He commented widely on the social scene, arts, prominent politicians and contemporary movements. He had a few things to say about the upcoming 32nd president of the United States, too:

"If he became convinced tomorrow that coming out for cannibalism would get him the votes he needs so sorely, he would begin fattening a missionary in the White House yard come Wednesday."

One of the most prominent American writers Mark Twain wasn't a big fan of the English novelist Jane Austen. He made a few comments here and there about her works and how much he disliked them, but one of the citations really stood out:

"Everytime I read 'Pride and Prejudice' I want to dig her [Jane Austen] up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone."