Nasser, Gamal Abdel (1918-70), Egyptian soldier and statesmen.  A leader of the coup that deposed King Farouk in 1952, he became prime minister of Egypt (1956-70).

With emotions high on the night before the coup of 1952, one of Nasser’s associates was close to tears.  “Tonight there is no room for sentiment,” said Nasser firmly. “We must be ready for the unexpected.” Some minutes later, when the man had regained his composure, he asked Nasser,”Why did you address me in English?”  Nasser laughed. “Because Arabic,” he replied, “is hardly a  suitable language in which to express the need for calm.”

Courtesy of The Little Brown Book of Anecdotes, Clifton Fadiman, Editor. (A highly recommended buy.)