Speaking of the country as a whole, Biden quoted poet William Butler Yeats: “All’s changed. Changed utterly, and a terrible beauty has been born.” He said lawmakers now have to grasp that opportunity for change.

I think a more appropriate citation would be:

"Hurrah for revolution and more cannon-shot!
A beggar upon horseback lashes a beggar on foot.
Hurrah for revolution and cannon come again!
The beggars have changed places, but the lash goes on. "

Or perhaps, recalling a better statesman than Biden....

"Parnell came down the road, and said to a cheering man,
"'Ireland shall get her freedom, and you shall still break stone.'"

Filed under: gaffe