quotations about Belgium
Because of poor planning on the part of its first king, Roger XVIXMN (1606-present), Belgium was originally located between Germany and France, which for several centuries declared war on each other as often as modern nations declare things like Cheese Appreciation Month. The result was the Belgium became what historians call "The Screen Door of Europe," constantly getting slammed as various armies went racing through in both directions, often failing to wipe their feet. In the modern era this problem has been solved by moving Belgium to a safer location, up near the Netherlands, Denmark, Luxembourg, Iceland, and Canada, which are known collectively as "The Weenie Nations."
DAVE BARRY
Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need
I dislike Belgium and think the Belgians, on the whole, the most contemptible people in Europe.
MATTHEW ARNOLD
Letter to Miss Arnold, 1859
Traveling through Belgium is like reading a history book of Europe, the pages of which contain the record of man's struggle for freedom. Because it has so often been wounded, oppressed and bruised Belgium has placed against the background of her landscape the memories of her past: the belfries recalling her struggles; the churches, the spirit of her faith; the castles, the sentinels of her splendor.
DORÉ OGRIZEK
Belgium and Luxemburg
With the sort of power these new processes granted them, the members of the brotherhood were in the perfect position to seize power. In any other country, a massive, bloody war would have ensued. Horrors would have stalked the land, unholy amalgamations of flesh would have fought on the fields, and the nights would have new, unspeakable terrors. Fortunately, this is Belgium we're talking about.
DANIEL O'MALLEY
The Rook
Before little Belgium was even dreamed of, great wars were taking place on its soil. And those early people were learning through much hardship and suffering to be brave and fearless and strong.
ALICE E. ALLEN
"Little Stories of Belgium", Primary Education, March 1919
Belgium is a country invented by the British to annoy the French.
CHARLES DE GAULLE
attributed, The Biteback Dictionary of Humorous Political Quotations
You don't think of Belgians--at least I don't think of Belgians--as being the kind of people who stir up strong passions in others. An expression you almost never hear is: "Those damn Belgians!"
DAVE BARRY
Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer Is Much Faster)
If in Belgium they continue to eat chocolate, enjoy life and parade as great liberals and democrats while not taking account of the fact that some of the Muslims who are there are organising acts of terror, they will not be able to fight against them.
YISRAEL KATZ
remarks following the 2016 Brussels bombings
There was a sound of revelry by night,
And Belgium's capital had gathered then
Her beauty and her chivalry, and bright
The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men;
A thousand hearts beat happily; and when
Music arose with its voluptuous swell,
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again,
And all went merry as a marriage bell;
But hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell!
LORD BYRON
Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
To the glorious flag, my children,
Hark! the call your country gives,
To the flag in serried order!
He who dies for Belgium lives!
EMILE CAMMAERTS
"The Belgian Flag"
"Belgium" is the rudest word in the universe, which is "completely banned in all parts of the Galaxy, except in one part, where they could not possibly know what it means."
DOUGLAS ADAMS
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Another Armenia, Belgium ... the weak innocents who always seem to be located on a natural invasion route.
GENE L. COON
"Errand of Mercy", Star Trek
Just left a hotel in Belgium, damn them waffles was insane
LOGIC
"Metropolis"
Like most Americans, I don't spend a lot of time thinking about Belgium, and thus sthere are many things I don't know about it as a country, such as which specific continent it is located on.
DAVE BARRY
Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer Is Much Faster)
The little white ewe lamb of Europe.
FATHER VINCENT MCNABB
Open Letter to the Kaiser, August 1914
Belgium is known affectionately to the French as "the gateway to Germany" and just as affectionately to the Germans as "the gateway to France."
TONY HENDRA
"EEC! It's the US of E!", National Lampoon, 1976
I do know a Belgium joke! Okay, what's Belgium famous for? Chocolates and child abuse and they only invented the chocolates to get to the kids.
MARTIN MCDONAGH
In Bruges
Remember Belgium and the Brussels Museum
Where we piled on the front steps like stray cavaliers
Our code of living meant little to others
The few francs we saved bought some cheap souvenirs
But the red lights where the catfights make it just like Belgium
See us face down on the floor of another cheap barroom
Streetwalkers sweet talk you out of your spare change
And your sweet madame makes it seem just like Belgium
ELTON JOHN
"Just Like Belgium"
After years of bondage, the Belgian, rising from the tomb, has reconquered by his courage, his name, his rights and his flag; and your hand, kingly and proud, people hereafter unconquerable, writes upon your flag, King, Law, and Liberty.
LOUIS DECHEZ
the Belgian national anthem written during the revolution of 1830, La Brabanconne
I ask him what the Belgians are like. "The Walloons are like French people, but nice, and the Flemish are like Dutch people, but soft," he tells me. "It's like all of the good bits about France and Holland with none of the attitude."
ANDREW FRASER
Tripping the Flight Fantastic