Francis Bacon? Theophilus Gale? David Hume? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: The famous English philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon made an intriguing assertion about atheism. Here are three versions: (1) A little philosophy makes men atheists, though a great deal would cure them of Atheism. (2) A little knowledge drives man away from God, but deeper …
Yearly Archives: 2018
My Drive in Life Is from This Horrible Fear of Being Mediocre
Creator: Madonna Louise Ciccone, American singer, songwriter, and artistic entrepreneur Context: In 1991 “Vanity Fair” published a profile of Madonna within which she discussed her “iron will” and her trepidation. Emphasis added to this excerpt by QI:[ref] 1991 April, Vanity Fair, The Misfit by Lynn Hirschberg (Profile of Madonna Louise Ciccone), Start Page 158, Quote …
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Music Is the Most Unpleasant and the Most Expensive of All Noises
Théophile Gautier? Molière? Alphonse Karr? Alexander Dumas père? A Mathematician? Prince Albert? Joseph Coyne? Honoré de Balzac?Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: Operas and orchestra concerts are quite expensive productions. A deprecatory wit once grumbled about the outlays. Here are three versions: Of all the noises known to man, opera is the most expensive. …
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But In Analysing History Do Not Be Too Profound, for Often the Causes Are Quite Superficial
Creator: Ralph Waldo Emerson, prominent American essayist and transcendentalist philosopher Context: In 1836 when Emerson was 33 years old he wrote in his journal about bloody events in Spain and France. Emphasis added to excerpt:[ref] 1910, Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson with Annotations, Edited by Edward Waldo Emerson and Waldo Emerson Forbes, 1836-1838, Volume 4, …
One Who Has Imagination Without Learning Has Wings Without Feet
Joseph Joubert? Matthew Arnold? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: Imagination is crucial to cogitation, but it must be coupled with knowledge to achieve wholeness. Here are two versions of a germane adage: He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet. One who has imagination without learning has wings without feet. I was reminded …
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Love: It Is a Sort of Divine Accident
Hugh Walpole? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: Radiant love displays “depth, beauty, and joy”, but achieving this extraordinary relationship is challenging. The bestselling English novelist Hugh Walpole apparently said: It is a sort of Divine accident. Would you please help me to find a citation? Quote Investigator: The book “What is Happiness?” consists of essays by …
I Haven’t Got as Much Money as Some Folks, But I Have Got as Much Impudence as Any of Them, and That Is the Next Thing to Money
Creator: Josh Billings (pen name of Henry Wheeler Shaw), celebrated U.S. humorist Context: A collection of “Sayings of Josh Billings” appeared in “The Alleghanian” newspaper of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania in 1864. Billings employed phonetic spelling. Here were three of the sayings:[ref] 1864 October 6, The Alleghanian (The Ebensburg Alleghanian), Sayings of Josh Billings, Quote Page 4, …
Editor: A Person Employed on a Newspaper, Whose Business It Is To Separate the Wheat from the Chaff, and To See that the Chaff Is Printed
Creator: Elbert Hubbard, founder of New York artisan community called Roycrofters, collector and creator of adages Context: The May 1913 issue of “The Philistine: A Periodical of Protest” published by Elbert Hubbard contained a set of humorous definitions for “editor”:[ref] 1913 May, The Philistine: A Periodical of Protest, Volume 36, Number 6, (Definition of Editor), …
There Will Be Prayers in Our Schools as Long as There Are Final Exams
Ronald Reagan? Ashley Cooper? Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr.? David Condon? The Farmer’s Daughter? Norine Carman? Sam Levenson? Charles Rose? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: The topic of prayers in schools in the U.S. has been controversial for many years. Humorists have reacted with quips such as: As long as algebra is taught in school, there will …
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I Had More Fun Doing News Reporting Than in Any Other Enterprise. It Is Really the Life of Kings
H. L. Mencken? Theo Lippman Jr.? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: Newspaperman H. L. Mencken is famous for his insightful and acerbic commentaries, but he also spent the early years of his career as a reporter, and he looked back upon that period with fondness. Apparently, he nostalgically described reporting as “the life of kings” and …