Churchill, on handing over power after electoral defeat: "An empty taxi drew up at No 10, and Mr Atlee stepped out."

Another grook from the indefatiguable Piet Hein:

Just beyond perception's reach
I vaguely seem to see
That life if two locked boxes, each
Locked round the other's key.

John Donne (from Meditation XVII) "Any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind, and therefore send not to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee."

Philip Larkin: They fuck you up, your mum and dad...