Tracing Quotations
Graham Wallas? E. M. Forster? André Gide? Anonymous Little Girl? Anonymous Old Lady? Herbert Samuel? W. H. Auden? C. S. Lewis? Arthur Koestler? Christopher Hollis? Question for Quote Investigator: Pre-verbal and non-verbal thoughts are vitally important. Yet, there is an intimate relationship between thinking and using language especially when analysis and reflection are required. A …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: How Can I Know What I Think Till I See What I Say?”
Neil Gaiman? Jerry Garcia? Elizabeth McCracken? Robert Burton? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: I have heard two fascinating adages about artistic style: Both statements were made by the prominent fantasist Neil Gaiman who writes short stories, novels, comic books, and screenplays. Yet, Gaiman credited both phrases to acclaimed guitarist Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Style Is the Stuff You Get Wrong”
Booker T. Washington? Henry H. Proctor? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The famous educator and orator Booker T. Washington believed that the disadvantaged in society should be uplifted because a thoughtful program of amelioration would help everyone. During speeches Washington used the metaphor of two individuals fighting in a ditch. If one person wanted to …
Ray Bradbury? Erica Jong? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The science fiction luminary Ray Bradbury relied deeply on his intuitions and his imagination to compose lyrical prose. He believed that creativity was obstructed by over-thinking and intellectualizing. The following two statements have been attributed to him: Are these quotations genuine? Would you please help me …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Self-Consciousness Is the Enemy of All Art”
Graham Greene? Doris Lessing? Erica Jong? Question for Quote Investigator: An artist who has achieved a distinctive reputation with critics and the general public is placed into a metaphorical strait jacket. Newly fashioned artworks are expected to be similar to previous artworks. Change and innovation are frowned upon. This notion can be expressed using a …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: A Reputation Is Like a Death Mask. I Wanted To Smash the Mask”
Mignon McLaughlin? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: December is a season of generosity for many, but the eagerness of participants varies. A friend recently joked that she wanted to achieve a reputation for generosity as cheaply as possible. She disclaimed authorship of this quip. Would you please explore its provenance? Reply from Quote Investigator: The …
Joseph Campbell? Diane K. Osbon? Kurt Vonnegut? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: When I watch the news I see endless reports signaling that the world is a mess. Efforts to mend the world are necessary and laudable; however, I am reminded of the advice given by mythology scholar Joseph Campbell. The world has always been …
Bette Davis? Ruth S. Hain? Malcolm Forbes? John S. Whelan? Paul Newman? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: One grows in wisdom as the decades accumulate, but the challenges to health and intellect also increase. Here are four versions of a spirited adage: In this context, the words sissy and wimp refer to a weak or …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Old Age Sure Ain’t for Sissies”