Yet another political book hits the stores tomorrow: A Conga Line of Suckholes — Mark Latham’s Book of Quotations. It’s billed as “words of wisdom and humour, withering ripostes and personal reflections from authors, politicians and public figures”. Well, to a point. Here are some quotes you won’t find in the new Latham tome:

“Never throw mud. You may miss your mark, but you will have dirty hands.” — Joseph Parker

“A sneer is the weapon of the weak.” — James Russell Lowell

“There’s a very fine line between a groove and a rut; a fine line between eccentrics and people who are just plain nuts.” — Christine Lavin

“Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.” — Thomas Jefferson

“A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.” — Joseph Hall

“The reputation of a man is like his shadow, gigantic when it precedes him, and pigmy in its proportions when it follows.” — Alexandre De Talleyrand-Prigord

“A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation.”– Adlai E Stevenson

And then there’s this:

“You could compile the worst book in the world entirely out of selected passages from the best writers in the world.” — Gilbert K Chesterton