Retorts Quotes

“Psychobabble attempts to redefine the entire English language just to make a correct statement incorrect. Psychology is the study of why someone would try to do this.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

“Don't be fooled by those with some smarts in mockery. Some are forced into wit because they're always wrong.”
― Criss Jami

“...unfortunately, I am incapable of thinking up perfectly biting, split-second retorts, in any language. The French even have a word for this: l'esprit de l'escalier; staircase wit, something you only think of on the way out.”
― Tania Aebi, I've Been Around

“So you're the former beauty queen Rob mentioned. Not quite what I was expecting, honey."
The spell she'd cast over me lifted a bit at that remark---I didn't need her reminding me I wasn't beauty queen material. I felt Bernadette's and Adeena's influence stirring in me and returned the smirk. "Same goes for you."
"What, because I'm young and Black?"
"No, because you seem like you have self-respect.”
― Mia P. Manansala, Homicide and Halo-Halo

“I have always admired your facility for repartee, my lady. Oftentimes someone will say something to me, and later I will think up the perfect riposte—so perfect the hearer could not help but wilt, and be ashamed that they had set themselves up to receive it—but by that point it is often hours after the fact and I am lying in my bed.”
― Tamsyn Muir, Harrow the Ninth