--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The English are terribly lazy about…" description: "\"The English are terribly lazy about fighting. They like to get it over and done with and then set up a game of cricket.\" — Stephen Leacock" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a0/stephen-leacock-4891_cricket_the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-figh_3203454.png" --- # The English are terribly lazy about fighting. They like to… ![“The English are terribly lazy about fighting. They like to get it over and done with and then set up a game of cricket.” quote by Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a0/stephen-leacock-4891_cricket_the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-figh_3203454.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a0/stephen-leacock-4891_cricket_the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-figh_3203454.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a0/stephen-leacock-4891_cricket_the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-figh_3203454.png) > “The English are terribly lazy about fighting. They like to get it over and done with and then set up a game of cricket.” [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The English prefer quick, decisive conflict resolution and then enjoy leisurely activities like cricket. **In simple terms:** English avoid prolonged fighting, favoring swift outcomes and sport. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural preferences for conflict and leisure. Themes culture war leisure stereotype humor Mood witty observational Type satire cultural critique When to use this quote - diplomacy - military planning - recreational policy - cross‑cultural communication Key Concepts national character military strategy sports culture Questions to Reflect On - How do cultural attitudes shape a conduct? - Can humor reveal deeper truths about national behavior? A Different Perspective Stereotypes can oversimplify; not all English share this view. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cricket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cricket/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english/) [English Terribly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english-terribly-3169552/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Fighting Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting-like-387158/) [Game Cricket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game-cricket-480054/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Lazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lazy/) [Lazy Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lazy-fighting-5955838/) ## Related quotes > [“I know the English are terribly sentimental about the sea, but I can live without it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/i-know-the-english-are-terribly-sentimental-about-the-sea-but-i-can/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [ “But cricket was no mere game. Cricket was important. \[S\]he could never help reading about cricket. \[S\]he read the scores in the stop press… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/but-cricket-was-no-mere-game-cricket-was-important-s-he-could-never/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [We should be looking to inspire every living person in this country to play the game of cricket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-root/we-should-be-looking-to-inspire-every-living-person-in-this-country/) [Joe Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-root/) > [When I look back, I don't know how to put into words how much I owe the game of cricket - it changed my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-clarke/when-i-look-back-i-don-t-know-how-to-put-into-words-how-much-i-owe/) [Michael Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-clarke/) > [Whenever I go through any sort of bad patch, I remind myself that part of the game of cricket is God testing you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-root/whenever-i-go-through-any-sort-of-bad-patch-i-remind-myself-that-part/) [Joe Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-root/) > [It is far more than a game, this cricket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neville-cardus/it-is-far-more-than-a-game-this-cricket/) [Neville Cardus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neville-cardus/) > [“I don’t understand the game of Cricket. But I do get the game of Noisy Night Insect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-don-t-understand-the-game-of-cricket-but-i-do-get-the-game-of-noisy/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Some people see life as a game of chess, while others prefer to see it as a game of cricket; but the longer I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-brown/some-people-see-life-as-a-game-of-chess-while-others-prefer-to-see-it/) [Craig Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-brown/) > [The game of cricket existed long before I was born. It will be played centuries after my demise. During my career I was privileged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-bradman/the-game-of-cricket-existed-long-before-i-was-born-it-will-be-played/) [Donald Bradman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-bradman/) > [“I think a good life will be like a great game of cricket. You need to go out there on the pitch and try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rotimi-ogunjobi/i-think-a-good-life-will-be-like-a-great-game-of-cricket-you-need-to/) [Rotimi Ogunjobi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rotimi-ogunjobi/) > [In the game of cricket it has always been customary to accord more adulation to batsman than to bowlers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-peebles/in-the-game-of-cricket-it-has-always-been-customary-to-accord-more/) [Ian Peebles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-peebles/) > [I've always said it's just a game of cricket. The only pressure I get is when I feel I've let the team down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moeen-ali/i-ve-always-said-it-s-just-a-game-of-cricket-the-only-pressure-i-get/) [Moeen Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moeen-ali/) > [I want to improve cricket at the district level because lot of hardworking players come from districts. We have produced so many great players,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammad-azharuddin/i-want-to-improve-cricket-at-the-district-level-because-lot-of/) [Mohammad Azharuddin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammad-azharuddin/) > [In the game of cricket, a hero is a person who respects the game and does not corrupt the game. The one who doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virat-kohli/in-the-game-of-cricket-a-hero-is-a-person-who-respects-the-game-and/) [Virat Kohli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virat-kohli/) > [I know how much of a uniting game cricket is and as a leader of the Birmingham Phoenix that is something I definitely want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moeen-ali/i-know-how-much-of-a-uniting-game-cricket-is-and-as-a-leader-of-the/) [Moeen Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moeen-ali/) ## More by Stephen Leacock > [My parents migrated to Canada in 1876, and I decided to go with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/my-parents-migrated-to-canada-in-1876-and-i-decided-to-go-with-them/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [You frequently ask, where are the friends of your childhood, and urge that they shall be brought back to you. As far as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/you-frequently-ask-where-are-the-friends-of-your-childhood-and-urge/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [The parent who could see his boy as he really is, would shake his head and say: 'Willie is no good; I'll sell him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/the-parent-who-could-see-his-boy-as-he-really-is-would-shake-his-head/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [It's called political economy because it is has nothing to do with either politics or economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/it-s-called-political-economy-because-it-is-has-nothing-to-do-with/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [How can you shorten the subject? That stern struggle with the multiplication table, for many people not yet ended in victory, how can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/how-can-you-shorten-the-subject-that-stern-struggle-with-the/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [A silk dress in four sections, and shoes with high heels that would have broken the heart of John Calvin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/a-silk-dress-in-four-sections-and-shoes-with-high-heels-that-would/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [Humor may be defined as the kindly contemplation of the incongruities of life, and the artistic expression thereof.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/humor-may-be-defined-as-the-kindly-contemplation-of-the-incongruities/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [Chess is one long regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/chess-is-one-long-regret/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [A lone maple leaf resting on sand Have you ever been out for a late autumn walk in the closing part of the afternoon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/a-lone-maple-leaf-resting-on-sand-have-you-ever-been-out-for-a-late/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [In ancient times they had no statistics so they had to fall back on lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/in-ancient-times-they-had-no-statistics-so-they-had-to-fall-back-on/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [“Suppose a would-be writer can't begin? I really believe there are many excellent writers who have never written because they never could begin. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/suppose-a-would-be-writer-can-t-begin-i-really-believe-there-are-many/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [We think of the noble object for which the professor appears tonight, we may be assured that the Lord will forgive any one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/we-think-of-the-noble-object-for-which-the-professor-appears-tonight/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [Many a man in love with a dimple makes the mistake of marrying the whole girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/many-a-man-in-love-with-a-dimple-makes-the-mistake-of-marrying-the/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [The writing of solid, instructive stuff fortified by facts and figures is easy enough. There is no trouble in writing a scientific treatise on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/the-writing-of-solid-instructive-stuff-fortified-by-facts-and-figures/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [Advertising: the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/advertising-the-science-of-arresting-the-human-intelligence-long/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) [Explore all 105 Stephen Leacock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) ## More Cricket quotes > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [In summer, my Sundays are often taken up with cricket. I play with a bunch of other over-competitive and overenthusiastic guys who I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-elliot/in-summer-my-sundays-are-often-taken-up-with-cricket-i-play-with-a/) [Ben Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-elliot/) > [The way you get wickets is, you've got to build pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-arthur/the-way-you-get-wickets-is-you-ve-got-to-build-pressure/) [Mickey Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-arthur/) > [Runs are important, don't get me wrong, but it will be wickets that I will be judged on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moeen-ali/runs-are-important-don-t-get-me-wrong-but-it-will-be-wickets-that-i/) [Moeen Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moeen-ali/) > [Cricket, politics, and cinema is what a majority in our country are most passionate about. They have the power to divide the best of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-deverakonda/cricket-politics-and-cinema-is-what-a-majority-in-our-country-are/) [Vijay Deverakonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-deverakonda/) > [I used to stay near Hazra Law College and play a lot of street cricket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanshu-chatterjee/i-used-to-stay-near-hazra-law-college-and-play-a-lot-of-street-cricket/) [Priyanshu Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanshu-chatterjee/) > [Being at the top of the ICC rankings is a matter of great pride for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasprit-bumrah/being-at-the-top-of-the-icc-rankings-is-a-matter-of-great-pride-for-me/) [Jasprit Bumrah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasprit-bumrah/) > [If you want to to be a smart cricketer, you have to play according to the situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hardik-pandya/if-you-want-to-to-be-a-smart-cricketer-you-have-to-play-according-to/) [Hardik Pandya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hardik-pandya/) > [There is no reason why one should believe you should leave out politicians in cricket or any sport for that matter. There are ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roosevelt-skerrit/there-is-no-reason-why-one-should-believe-you-should-leave-out/) [Roosevelt Skerrit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roosevelt-skerrit/) > [The Twenty20 is itself a banal game, a crude game, but it works, so I hope Twenty20 commentary works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-agnew/the-twenty20-is-itself-a-banal-game-a-crude-game-but-it-works-so-i/) [Jonathan Agnew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-agnew/) > [I began playing at the age of six, but at that point, I had little idea of cricket; forget the talent part. It's around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prithvi-shaw/i-began-playing-at-the-age-of-six-but-at-that-point-i-had-little-idea/) [Prithvi Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prithvi-shaw/) > [We West Indian cricketers are always proud to play for the West Indies and we know we are made up of different islands and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-lara/we-west-indian-cricketers-are-always-proud-to-play-for-the-west/) [Brian Lara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-lara/) > [We are a country obsessed by records. For us, hundreds, ten thousand runs, and large haul of wickets are more important than the performance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shastri/we-are-a-country-obsessed-by-records-for-us-hundreds-ten-thousand/) [Ravi Shastri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shastri/) > [You always can improve and I think that's the beauty of international cricket, particularly test cricket, is playing all around the world against different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-williamson/you-always-can-improve-and-i-think-that-s-the-beauty-of-international/) [Kane Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-williamson/) > [“The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last for ever. Even on the most beautiful days in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-crickets-felt-it-was-their-duty-to-warn-everybody-that-summertime/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 3,044 Cricket quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cricket/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The English are terribly lazy about fighting. They like to get it over and done with and then set up a game of cricket.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Leacock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-fighting-they-like-to-get-it-over/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cricket" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-fighting-they-like-to-get-it-over/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a0/stephen-leacock-4891_cricket_the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-figh_3203454.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a0/stephen-leacock-4891_cricket_the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-figh_3203454.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a0/stephen-leacock-4891_cricket_the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-figh_3203454.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The English are terribly lazy about fighting. They like to get it over and done with and then set up a game…” — Stephen Leacock", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen Leacock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The English are terribly lazy about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-fighting-they-like-to-get-it-over/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/the-english-are-terribly-lazy-about-fighting-they-like-to-get-it-over/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```