The Tory leader sort of wanted to say that the government should deploy the army more rapidly, but -- heaven forfend -- he didn't want to imply that it was anybody's fault that the soldiers hadn't been deployed! —— Simon Hoggart, "A Greasy Whiff Dispels the Stench of Worthiness," Guardian, March 22, 2001

The river of discovery will continue to flow without cessation, deepening our understanding of the world and enhancing our capacity to forfend calamity and live congenial lives.—— John Maddox in 'What Remains to be Discovered'

In addition, to forfend direct Chinese involvement, which was extremely unlikely, the administration guaranteed the northern regime, thus removing a major deterrent. —— Morton A. Kaplan, "Cruel Vietnam Follies," The World & I, Sept 1, 1995

Setting aside the absurdity of a piece that purports to be about self-abnegation – ie not having sex with a variety of beautiful, interesting and willing women – while involving a depth of navel-gazing that only a true egomaniac could devise, it's tempting to mock Parsifal's effect on its core audience. The usual contingent of rapt, heavy-breathing pilgrims was out in force, but I will forfend from questioning how many propositions they are likely to have turned down themselves. Indeed I think we could all learn something from them. You see, true Wagnerites – as opposed to those who slaver over the singers whose careers are solely associated with his music – tend to shut their eyes while listening. Blind faith? Perhaps not. Having kept my eyes wide open throughout, I can safely say that the pilgrims' way is the best method of enjoying this production. If Parsifal has brought out the best in Violeta Urmana (Kundry), Thomas Hampson (Amfortas), Willard White (Klingsor), the knights, the flower maidens and Sir Simon Rattle, it has brought out the worst in director Klaus Michael Grüber, whose nutty 1990 Amsterdam staging has been recycled here. —— Anna Picard; 'Parsifal, Royal Opera House, London'; Telegraph; Dec 16, 2001