Guarding Even Our Enemies and the Triumph of Evil: Actual and Supposed Eighteenth-century Voices in Twentieth-century Politics

This paper reflects on how quotations function within the language and considers some of the challenges presented to a dictionary of quotations in how best to represent the relevant linguistic evidence. These questions are pursued through two case studies, with particular reference to the appeal of a “famous name” called in support of an argument or political position. Tracking the usage history of both cases, the article notes what a dictionary of quotations should make explicit and highlights any specific questions relating to either item that still remain to be answered.