Giles Dixon’s Bons Mots Is A Treasury of Wit And Wisdom From An Octogenarian’s Collection

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Giles Dixon’s Bons Mots is a pocket-sized treasury of 250 witty and wise quotes from Aristotle to Obama, curated over 25 years by an octogenarian solicitor, perfect for gifting or sparking inspiration.

Bons Mots

At 82, Giles Dixon has crafted a literary gem that sparkles with the wit, wisdom, and timeless insights of some of the world’s most remarkable minds. Bons Mots – A Contemporary Collection of Quotes is a pocket-sized treasury that brings together 250 voices, from Aristotle to Obama, Banksy to Buffett, spanning themes as diverse as love, war, art, politics, business, and beyond. This lively anthology, curated over 25 years by Dixon, a widely traveled solicitor, is designed to surprise, amuse, and inspire in equal measure.

The term bons mots, as the Oxford English Dictionary notes, translates to “clever or witty remarks,” and Dixon’s collection lives up to its name. Divided into 18 thematic sections—ranging from philosophy and religion to environment and finance—the book offers a delightful variety. One page might deliver a sharp political observation, the next a playful quip on marriage or a profound reflection on art. The result is a book that feels both authoritative and refreshingly unpredictable, perfect for gifting, public speaking, or simply savoring clever words well chosen.

Dixon’s curation draws primarily from contemporary sources, with the majority of the 250 quoted figures born in the 20th century, many still living and easily found on Wikipedia. Yet, the collection also includes timeless voices from history, such as Aristotle, Rousseau, Napoleon, and Disraeli, creating a rich tapestry of thought. From heads of state like Queen Elizabeth II, Barack Obama, and Pope Francis to business tycoons like Warren Buffett and Steve Jobs, and from environmentalists like Chris Packham and Wangari Maathai to artists like Antony Gormley and Banksy, the range of voices is as eclectic as it is engaging. Writers like Christopher Hitchens and Yuval Noah Harari mingle with journalists from The Financial Times and The Guardian, alongside unexpected figures like Donald Rumsfeld and Barry Humphries.

Giles Dixon

Dixon’s own journey adds depth to this project. A solicitor who has lived and worked in the UK, Australia, Cyprus, and the UAE, he retired from a City of London law firm in 2002 to establish his own practice, specializing in commercial, engineering, and construction contracts. He also founded www.contractstore.com, a website selling commercial contract templates, where a “Last Word” page featured quotes he collected over the years—many of which found their way into Bons Mots. An enthusiast of newsprint and radio, Dixon’s decades-long habit of gathering quotes from diverse sources has culminated in this vibrant collection.

Now living in Sussex’s Ashdown Forest after moving from Kew in 2024, Dixon remains active at 82, still running his law firm but hoping to retire soon. His passion for learning and culture extends beyond his legal career—he served as a trustee of Turner’s House in Twickenham, the home designed by artist JMW Turner, for a decade. Dixon is also the co-author of Exporting Made Easy and a contributor to Schmitthoff’s The Law & Practice of International Trade.

Bons Mots is more than a collection of quotes; it’s a celebration of human thought, curated with care by a man whose life has been as varied as the voices he champions. Compact enough to slip into a pocket, this book is an ideal gift for anyone who appreciates sharp wit, profound insights, or a quick dose of inspiration to enliven a speech or meeting. With Bons Mots, Giles Dixon invites readers to pause, reflect, and delight in the power of words well said.

Find more from Giles Dixon now:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Iqvpe9

www.gilesdixon.com

www.contractstore.com