Christian Nestell Bovee? Evan Esar? Laurence J. Peter? Question for Quote Investigator: I once heard an observation that cogently explained the popularity of quotations. I do not recall the precise phrasing, but it was something like this: If you are unable to be witty yourself, the next best thing is being able to quote another’s …
Monthly Archives: August 2021
Quote Origin: Everything Which Is Not Compulsory Is Forbidden
T. H. White? Robert Heinlein? W. H. Auden? Murray Gell-Mann? Friedrich Schiller? Weare Holbrook? Ronald Storrs? Harry Lindsay? Gordon Daniel Conant? Gerhart H. Seger? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: The following societal principle has been called totalitarian, authoritarian, fascist, and dictatorial. Here are two versions: Everything which is not forbidden is compulsory. Everything which is …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Everything Which Is Not Compulsory Is Forbidden”
Quip Origin: Quotation Is The Act of Repeating Erroneously the Words of Another
Ambrose Bierce? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A clever wit claimed that the act of quoting someone really meant erroneously repeating their words. I do not remember the precise phrasing; hence, this quotation itself is somewhat erroneous. Would you please help me to find the correct quotation and author? Reply from Quote Investigator: In July …
Continue reading “Quip Origin: Quotation Is The Act of Repeating Erroneously the Words of Another”
Quote Origin: Everybody Has Plans Until They Get Hit for the First Time
Mike Tyson? Joe Louis? Helmuth von Moltke the Elder? Fair Play? Walter Payton? Mike Lupica? Dwight D. Eisenhower? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The opponent of a well-known boxing champion stated that he had a plan to win an upcoming match. The champion replied with a caustic dismissive remark. Here are four versions: (1) Everybody …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Everybody Has Plans Until They Get Hit for the First Time”
Quote Origin: How Old Would You Be If You Didn’t Know How Old You Are?
Satchel Paige? Wayne W. Dyer? Clarence H. Wilson? Wallace R. Farrington? G. Herbert True? Ruth Gordon? Garson Kanin? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: It is foolish to place restrictive limits on oneself solely based on age. Most activities can be pursued at any age. This viewpoint is encouraged by an inquiry designed for self-reflection. Here …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: How Old Would You Be If You Didn’t Know How Old You Are?”
Quote Origin: Tortoises All the Way Down
Hester Lynch Piozzi? William James? Bertrand Russell? Mark Twain? Henry David Thoreau? Carl Sagan? Terry Pratchett? Samuel Purchas? John Locke? George B. Cheever? Joseph F. Berg? George Chainey? John Phoenix? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: According to legend a prominent scientist once presented a lecture on cosmology which discussed the solar system and galaxies. Afterwards, …
Quote Origin: Like a Little Bridegroom On a Wedding Cake
Alice Roosevelt Longworth? Marie Corelli? Jane Burr? Rose Guggenheim Winslow? Nancy Hale? Ruth Hanna McCormick? Walter Winchell? Ethel Barrymore? Grace Hodgson Flandrau? Question for Quote Investigator: A U.S. politician running for president was once described as a “little man on a wedding cake” and a “bridegroom on the wedding cake”. This ridicule harmed his campaign, …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Like a Little Bridegroom On a Wedding Cake”
Quote Origin: Nearly Any Invented Quotation, Played With Confidence, Stands a Good Chance To Deceive
Mark Twain? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Mark Twain once spun a tale in which he won an argument by concocting a fake quotation. His successful deception led him to pronounce a maxim similar to this: Any invented quotation, spoken with confidence, will be accepted by listeners. Would you please explore this topic? Reply from …
Quote Origin: A Person’s Biography Should Be Written by an Acute Enemy
Arthur James Balfour? Batman? Oscar Wilde? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Apparently, the crime-fighting superhero Batman is a quotation expert. I recall watching a rerun episode of the 1960s television series during which Batman was asked to identify the creator of an obscure quotation about biography, and he immediately answered correctly with the name Arthur …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: A Person’s Biography Should Be Written by an Acute Enemy”
Quote Origin: Every Great Man Nowadays Has His Disciples, and It Is Always Judas Who Writes the Biography
Oscar Wilde? Arthur Pendenys? Arthur James Balfour? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: An ill-intentioned biography is indistinguishable from a character assassination. The famous wit Oscar Wilde crafted a pertinent line on this topic. Here are three versions: Every great man nowadays has his disciples, and …it is usually Judas who writes the biography. …it is …