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Simon Hoggart Quotes

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About Simon Hoggart

Simon Hoggart, born on June 18, 1946, in Birmingham, England, was a renowned British journalist, humorist, and author, best known for his satirical columns in The Guardian. His career spanned over five decades, leaving an indelible mark on British journalism. Hoggart attended the University of Leeds where he studied law but later switched to philosophy. However, it was during this time that he discovered his passion for writing and humor, contributing to student publications. After graduating, Hoggart worked as a journalist in Birmingham before joining The Guardian in 1971. In 1982, he began writing his popular "Last Post" column, a weekly satirical take on British politics and society. His witty and insightful observations quickly garnered a wide readership, earning him the nickname "The People's Commentator." Hoggart also contributed to other media outlets, including BBC Radio 4's "The News Quiz" and "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue." Hoggart's works often reflected his socialist beliefs and witty humor. His books include "In the Back of the Wagon: A Journey Through the Countryside" (1982), "Silly People" (1984), and "Diary of a Young Man in a Hurry" (1986). His most notable work, however, is likely "The Last Post: Dispatches from an Endangered Species" (1997), a collection of his Guardian columns. Hoggart retired from The Guardian in 2013 but continued to write and appear on radio until his death on April 26, 2018, at the age of 71. His work continues to influence British journalism and comedy, with his wit and insight still revered today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Journalism is like a rollercoaster. Some days it's fun, some days you throw up."

This quote by Simon Hoggart suggests that journalism can be both exhilarating and challenging, with moments of joy (fun) and times of intense stress or strain (throwing up). It metaphorically compares the profession to a rollercoaster ride, emphasizing its unpredictable nature. On some days, journalists may find great satisfaction in their work, while on others, they may encounter obstacles or setbacks that cause them frustration or anxiety. Overall, Hoggart's quote encapsulates the emotional journey and the ups and downs that come with being a journalist.

"I think the secret of life is to put yourself in the right lighting. Not spotlight - but the right lighting."

This quote suggests that finding one's purpose, happiness, or success in life is about surrounding oneself with the right conditions, influences, or circumstances, rather than seeking the limelight or fame. It implies that it is essential to create an environment where personal strengths are highlighted and weaknesses are minimized, allowing one's authentic self to shine. The metaphor of 'lighting' emphasizes the importance of finding an optimal setting to truly understand and fulfill one's potential.

"The art of politics: the ability to be as adamant inside the tent as outside it."

This quote by Simon Hoggart encapsulates the essence of political loyalty. The phrase "as adamant inside the tent as outside it" suggests that a politician should maintain an unwavering commitment to their beliefs, both within their party (inside the tent) and in public (outside the tent). It underscores the importance of consistency in one's convictions and demonstrates the art of politics lies in balancing compromise with conviction.

"Politics is show business for ugly people."

This quote by Simon Hoggart suggests that politics, much like show business or entertainment, operates under similar principles, such as appealing to an audience and creating a public persona. However, in contrast to the glamour and good looks often associated with show business, politicians may not always be aesthetically pleasing, which is where the humor lies in Hoggart's statement. The quote implies that while politics may not attract the most physically attractive individuals, it requires similar levels of charisma, performance, and skill in persuading people to garner support.

"Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll - they've all been found in Westminster, but not usually in that order."

This quote implies that scandals or issues related to sex, drug abuse, and the music subculture of rock 'n' roll have occurred within Westminster (the British Parliament), though not necessarily in the order mentioned. The quote suggests a perceived moral decline or corruption in the political system due to various inappropriate activities being exposed. The use of "usually" indicates that while such scandals are common, there may be instances where they do not occur in this sequence.

I know of no wars started by anyone to impose lack of religion on someone else. We have lethal Sunni v Shia, Catholic against Protestant, but no agnostic suicide bombers attack crowded atheist pubs.

- Simon Hoggart

Suicide, Against, Pubs, Impose

I think the great thing about grandparents is seeing another home, realising that people you love can have different priorities, different diversions, different opinions and lead quite different lives from the ones you see every day, and that is immensely valuable.

- Simon Hoggart

Love, Grandparents, I Think, Immensely

My colleague Bill Keegan has written a very short book ('Saving the World?') on an unlikely topic - he is the first economist to try to rehabilitate Gordon Brown.

- Simon Hoggart

Book, Very, Unlikely, Economist

There are few tribes more loathsome than the American Right, and their vicious use of the shortcomings in the NHS to attack Barack Obama's attempts at health reform are a useful reminder.

- Simon Hoggart

More, Shortcomings, Reminder, Vicious

Life was so much simpler in pre-video days when everyone refused invitations because the 'Forsyte Saga' was on. Now we all just have a long list of unwatched shows, all of which, it seems, our friends are raving about. I feel as outdated as if I wore a Fair Isle sweater, ate Pot Noodle and had a two-bar electric fire in the sitting room.

- Simon Hoggart

Feel, About, Had, Noodle

All over the U.S. there are people whose lives are being destroyed for lack of proper health care provision, and there is no sight more odious than the rich, powerful and arrogant trying to keep it that way.

- Simon Hoggart

Health Care, Than, Proper, Odious

The formal Washington dinner party has all the spontaneity of a Japanese imperial funeral.

- Simon Hoggart

Funeral, Japanese, Formal, Dinner Party

Watching the Commons tribute to Margaret Thatcher was like being suffocated inside a gigantic sticky toffee pudding, but one with nasty bogeys planted inside. There was much of the 'Margaret Thatcher who was lucky enough to know me,' especially from her own side of the House.

- Simon Hoggart

Lucky, Own, Planted, Nasty

'Sir' Richard Branson may be the Julian Assange of British business, in that both believe the world revolves around them. Hence Branson's decision to set up an air service between Manchester and London, above the route of the train line that's been taken from him.

- Simon Hoggart

London, Line, Been, Revolves

It's sad that the BBC is toning down Dennis the Menace for a cartoon series. He is losing his weapons, catapult and peashooter, will no longer pick on Walter the Softy, and his ferocious grimace is to be replaced by a charming, boyish smile.

- Simon Hoggart

Losing, Down, Ferocious, Menace

What puzzles me is the way that some of the smaller, unknown chateaux imagine that because Chinese millionaires pay ludicrous sums for the great names, they can overcharge for their own inferior fluids. There is no trickledown effect in wine prices.

- Simon Hoggart

Own, Some, Smaller, Puzzles

I've been intrigued by 'Le Monde' ever since work took me to Paris once, and I noted that on a day when there was some huge worldwide story, the paper led its front page on some cabinet changes in Turkey. It implied a magnificent disdain for the quotidian folderol of mere news.

- Simon Hoggart

Changes, Some, Been, Intrigued

Corney & Barrow are proud to have the royal warrant, meaning that they provide the Palace with some of the greatest - and necessarily most expensive - wines from around the world. I am pleased to say that they also hold my own warrant, for providing exceptional wines at - surprisingly - modest prices.

- Simon Hoggart

Own, Some, Providing, Surprisingly

Some government expenditure actually makes a profit. Our theatre leads the world. Loads of tourists must be attracted by the fact that you could spend a week in London doing nothing but visit superb museums and galleries, free.

- Simon Hoggart

Doing, Some, Expenditure, Profit

To be fair to the Inquisition, they only used confessions extracted after the torture had ended, which let them claim that admissions had been freely given; the fact that the torture would have started again if they hadn't confessed was a minor detail.

- Simon Hoggart

Fact, Been, Minor, Claim

Denis Healey refused to contribute an article to the 'Guardian' about his intentions, and was punished by the electorate - and then all Labour MPs - for his presumption in assuming they already knew everything about him. He became famously the best prime minister we never had. Perhaps.

- Simon Hoggart

About, Became, Contribute, Electorate

A married vicar is likely to regard his vocation as a job - a tough and ill-paid one, to be sure - but a priest is seen as a pillar of the community, answerable only to his parishioners and his God, rather than to a wife and children.

- Simon Hoggart

Rather, Sure, Likely, Pillar

I cannot be alone in being pretty nauseated by Red Nose Day, or at least its television manifestation. Do I think that wretchedly poor children in Africa should get food and life-saving drugs? Of course. Do I want to be hectored into contributing by celebrities who earn more in a 10-minute slot than many of these families get in a year? Nope.

- Simon Hoggart

Year, I Think, Least, Being Pretty

Living in New York is like being at some terrible late-night party. You're tired, you've had a headache since you arrived, but you can't leave because then you'd miss the party.

- Simon Hoggart

New, Some, Late-Night, Headache

I also learned to play Fruit Ninja on an iPad. It is quite hypnotic, and I hope one day to get past 100 points. I remembered that David Cameron admits to being an addict. I wonder if it helps him in his work. 'Great, just destroyed a pineapple! Reminds me, shall we send those grenades to the Syrian rebels?'

- Simon Hoggart

Fruit, Play, David Cameron, Reminds

When you visit a foreign city you are in it, but not of it, separated by a glass wall. Once, while a student, I was getting dressed in my ground-floor room when a family of Italians crossed the grass to watch, as if I were laid on for their amusement and instruction.

- Simon Hoggart

City, Student, While, Crossed

British diplomats who worked in Iran during the 1980 hostage crisis are deeply upset by Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning film 'Argo,' which suggests they refused shelter to the group who managed to get out of the U.S. embassy.

- Simon Hoggart

Upset, Shelter, British, Embassy

When people move from one extreme set of views to embrace another equally batty picture of the world, they expect us to applaud their choice, as if the fact that they have rejected one form of nuttiness somehow validates the screwball views they hold now.

- Simon Hoggart

Fact, Rejected, Equally, Applaud

Jim Sheridan, the MP who wants to ban sketchwriters from the Commons for being rude about politicians, is a blithering idiot. Sorry, scrub that - clearly a very thoughtful person with whom I might conceivably disagree on some marginal issues. A blithering savant, perhaps.

- Simon Hoggart

Some, Very, About, Marginal

The Tory party is like a rugby union match in which all 30 players are wearing the same strip. They're not sure who they are grabbing round the knees, but they're having a lot of fun doing it.

- Simon Hoggart

Doing, Sure, Which, Grabbing

The Chinese do make vast quantities of wine for home consumption, but you wouldn't want to drink it yourself.

- Simon Hoggart

Want, Chinese, Quantities, Wine

One of the pleasures of staying with friends is that you get to browse their shelves. I always arrive with a book, but I almost never read it. It would be like sitting at their dinner table and opening a packet of sandwiches.

- Simon Hoggart

Book, Almost, Staying, Table

Kind 'Guardian' readers have been forwarding me round robin Christmas newsletters for years now: lengthy missives full of perfect children, exotic holidays, talented pets and endless, tedious detail. The notes that accompanied them revealed they had inspired in the original recipients everything from mild irritation to absolute rage.

- Simon Hoggart

Been, Notes, Pets, Revealed

During my own gap year, I learned an invaluable lesson - that I was a lousy teacher. Even though the children I 'taught,' in upcountry Uganda, were desperate for qualifications, they largely ignored me. Until, that is, I realised that they wanted to hear about other young persons around the world.

- Simon Hoggart

Year, Other, Invaluable, Lousy

I think Tony Blair has to come down on one side or the other. You can't be a half-hearted supporter of the possible attack on Iraq. You're either with George Bush or you're against him.

- Simon Hoggart

Think, Other, Side, None

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