Bolt, Robert -- Lawrence of Arabia, Part 1, sc. 38 (1962) [with Michael Wilson]

Dave — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 19:13:34 +0000

MURRAY: If you’re insubordinate with me, Lawrence, I’ll put you under arrest!

LAWRENCE: It’s my manner, sir.

MURRAY: What?

LAWRENCE: My manner, sir. It looks insubordinate, but it isn’t really.

MURRAY: I can’t make out whether you’re bloody bad-mannered or just half-witted.

LAWRENCE: I have the same problem, sir.

MURRAY: Shut up!

LAWRENCE: Yes, sir.

Robert Bolt (1924-1995) English dramatist
Lawrence of Arabia, Part 1, sc. 38 (1962) [with Michael Wilson]
(Source)

In the movie, the dialog is nearly identical:

MURRAY: If you're insubordinate with me, Lawrence, I shall put you under arrest.
LAWRENCE: It's my manner, sir.
MURRAY: Your what?
LAWRENCE: My manner, sir. It looks insubordinate, but it isn't really.
MURRAY: Well, I can't make out whether you're bloody bad-mannered or just half-witted.
LAWRENCE: I have the same problem, sir.
MURRAY: Shut up.
LAWRENCE: Yes, sir.

~Other -- Sauget’s Law of Education

Dave — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:40:37 +0000

Sit at the feet of the masters long enough, and they’ll start to smell.

(Other Authors and Sources)
Sauget’s Law of Education
(Source)

Attributed to John Sauget of Urbana, Ill., in Paul Dickson, The Official Rules, "Revised Proverbs" (1978).

WIST Quotations

Bolt, Robert -- Lawrence of Arabia, Part 1, sc. 38 (1962) [with Michael Wilson]

~Other -- Sauget’s Law of Education