Comments for Quote Investigator

Comment on Writing About Music is Like Dancing About Architecture by Dixon Wragg

Dixon Wragg — Sun, 20 May 2012 06:44:13 +0000

I’m acquainted with Martin Mull’s sister Anodea, but haven’t seen her for a couple years. I asked her ex-boyfriend, who’s a friend of mine, whether it might be possible to put the question of that phrase’s origin to Martin through Anodea. He said that as far as he knew, Martin and his sister haven’t been in touch in recent years, so that avenue of inquiry would seem to be closed for now. If I can find out more, I’ll report!

Comment on Do Good Anyway. The Paradoxical Commandments by hugh curran

hugh curran — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:42:01 +0000

Re: “paradoxical commandments”: In terms of appropriation or attribution, we tend, in our “self” oriented culture, to be fixated on only ONE source whereas it is often a collection of sources that someone compiles & condenses into a readable form. Mr Keith apparently did this & it’s unclear in the article whether he claimed to be the sole author or the compiler of sayings he appropriated from various sources. If he did not give proper attribution to the various sources he most likely collected them from then he is guilty of an indifferent form of plagiarism.

Comment on A Collision at Sea Can Ruin Your Entire Day by Devin Carless

Devin Carless — Sat, 19 May 2012 00:44:50 +0000

I did a few simple ctrl+F searches on The History of the Peloponnesian War (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7142). I didn’t find anything like the quotation mentioned.

Of course, I know I may not have checked all possible permutations of synonyms, and this translation may not be the one the quote is drawn from. But I found nothing even similar to the quotation in question – but many eyes may of course catch what I have missed.

Comment on People Sleep Peacefully in Their Beds at Night Only Because Rough Men Stand Ready to Do Violence on Their Behalf by Steven

Steven — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:15:16 +0000

Excellent research. Thank you for clearing that up.

Comment on Secret of the Universe: A Strong Smell of Turpentine Prevails Throughout by Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:29:41 +0000

One of the old US presidents woke up one morning with the feeling of having just discovered the secret of the universe, which was, “the whole is permeated with the smell of turpentine.” That’s the origin I heard.

Comment on A Collision at Sea Can Ruin Your Entire Day by Cdr Norman F Brown CHC, USN (ret)

Cdr Norman F Brown CHC, USN (ret) — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:34:28 +0000

As a young officer, third sea tour, serving as BUCK’s Weapons Dept head in the early 70s, I was surprised to see this quote engraved on a brass plaque & posted on the bridge (not in the wardroom). Having graduated USNA in ’69 why had I never had to memorize it, tho the wisdom was irrefutable? Always wondered about it. Thanks for removing some of the mystery.

Comment on Life is What Happens To You While You’re Busy Making Other Plans by Jay

Jay — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:15:35 +0000

Thank you QI! I am happy to report that I no longer use this quote as a tagline in my email signature. As we approach the one year anniversary of my husband’s brain tumor diagnosis and successful surgery, our lives are back on track…but with a philosophical difference — “living life one day at a time.” If quotes have a corollary, this would be it!

Comment on Everything Should Be Made as Simple as Possible, But Not Simpler by Gary Prendergast

Gary Prendergast — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:42:44 +0000

Being “simpler” may relate to the root of the other meaning of SIMPLE.
Webster’s 1913 Dictionary: Simpler: Weak in intellect; not wise or sagacious; of but moderate understanding or attainments;
By being simpler, we not only “sacrifice that complexity” as Amanda says but are weaken intellectually.
I am applying this to the current debate on global warming. One groups says it is man-made, the other the opposite. Is that an example of each being simpler?

Comment on The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing by Dave

Dave — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:40:43 +0000

Hey, Kathy. I’m a pastor with a graduate degree in theology, and was also raised in a Bible-centric church. I’m not aware (nor have I been able to find in some brief checking just now) of any Bible verse that says anything like this quotation.

Your friend isn’t totally wrong, though, since the sentiment (human responsibility to oppose evil) is a broadly biblical concept that underlies, for example, the book of Jeremiah. The big difference here is that the scripture everywhere emphasizes God’s sovereign control over all events and his commitment to overthrowing evil. The quote emphasizes man’s responsibility.

Hope that helps.

Comment on An Eye for an Eye Will Make the Whole World Blind by Lisa Osborn

Lisa Osborn — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:26:25 +0000

@Josh Caviness: Thank you!