Most of us were brought up with the maxim “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything all.” But if you absolutely must insult someone, learn a thing or two about panache from the masters of wordcraft:

“A graceful taunt is worth a thousand insults.”—Louis Nizer

“I feel so miserable without you, it’s almost like having you here.”—Stephen Bishop

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.”—Winston Churchill

“A modest little person, with much to be modest about.”—Winston Churchill

“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.”—Clarence Darrow

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.”—William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

“Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?”—Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll…