The Wisdom of HRH Prince Phillip RIP

On school days: "I was not the least aware I was any different from any of the others. My favourite subject was avoiding unnecessary work." On age: "It's better to get out before the 'sell-by' date." "There is nothing like it for morale to be reminded that the years are passing - ever more quickly - and that bits are dropping off the ancient frame. But nice to be remembered." On family: When Prince Edward was admitted to Jesus College Cambridge with a C and two D grades: "What a friend we have in Jesus." On Princess Anne's love of horses: "If it doesn't pass wind and eat hay, she's not interested." On marriage: "Tolerance is the one essential ingredient...You can take it from me that the Queen has the quality in abundance." (His speech on their golden wedding anniversary 1997) On meeting an Australian man who said:, "My wife is a doctor of philosophy and much more important than I am," Philip replied: "Ah yes, we have that trouble in our family too!" On self-awareness: "Dontopedalogy is the science of opening your mouth and putting your foot in it, which I have practised for many years." To a group of industrial workers: "I've never been noticeably reticent about talking on subjects about which I know nothing." On resilience: "During the Blitz, a lot of shops had their windows blown in and put up notices saying: 'More open than usual'. I now declare this place more open than usual." (Arguably suitable for the recent re-opening of bars and restaurants) On the planet: "The conservation of nature, the proper care for the human environment and a general concern for the long-term future of the whole of our planet are absolutely vital if future generations are to have a chance to enjoy their existence on this earth." "Human population growth is probably the single most serious long-term threat to survival. We're in for a major disaster if it isn't curbed...we have no option. If it isn't controlled voluntarily, it will be controlled involuntarily by an increase in disease, starvation and war." (An uncomfortably prophetic observation.) On sermons: "That wasn't a sermon, it was a general anaesthetic." (to his friend, the Dean of Windsor) "The mind cannot absorb what the backside cannot endure." (A plea for brevity) On science and religion: "Everything that isn't invented by God is invented by an engineer." "We desperately need the conviction of religious belief to guide us in the way we live on and use the planet. We have got to learn to balance the economic and scientic realities against religious demands for responsibility and consideration for the created world Belief and conviction are very powerful motives to care for our planet with all its diversity.”

With thanks to ‘The Light Bulletin’ Church magazine.