Victories on Water
StoryHistorical Account★★★★When William Jennings Bryan attended a banquet honoring a Japanese admiral in Japan, he toasted the naval leader with water. When someone near by told him that such a toast would be regarded as an insult, Bryan said: “You have won victories on water, and I drink your health in water; whenever you win on champagne, I will drink health in champagne.” TEMPTATION
— told him that such a toast would be
Also attributed to: Unknown, William Jennings Bryan
The point
At a banquet in Japan, William Jennings Bryan toasts a Japanese admiral with water, wittily defending his choice by saying he will honor victories on water until they are won on champagne, illustrating commitment to his principles.
