Tracing Quotations
Ernest Hemingway? Natalie Goldberg? Conrad Aiken? Joan Crawford? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: I have repeatedly encountered the following advice directed toward aspiring writers: Write hard and clear about what hurts. This statement has been attributed to Ernest Hemingway, but I am skeptical because I have never seen a solid citation. Would you please explore …
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Mark Twain? Margo T. Brandt? Kimber Crocker? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: A popular poem is employed during wedding celebrations. Here are the first two lines: I cannot promise you a life of sunshineI cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold This poem has been attributed to the famous U.S. writer Mark Twain, but I have …
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John Wooden? Bill Walton? Joyce Fittro? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A famously successful coach was often asked for advice, but he had no desire to be rigidly didactic; hence, he would say: I don’t give advice, I give opinions. This statement has been credited to U.S. basketball coach John Wooden who won ten NCAA …
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Erskine Caldwell? Stanley J. Kunitz? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: As a budding author I have often been told that I must hone my craft by reading numerous good books. Hence, I was astounded when I encountered the following statement from an acclaimed bestselling author: All that I am I attribute to my dislike for …
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Daniel Boone? Chester Harding? Margaret Eliot White? Gene Tunney? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Daniel Boone was a famous U.S. pioneer and frontiersman. Boone’s hunting and tracking skills were celebrated. Boone has been credited with the following humorous response to a question about his adventures: “During your long hunts have you ever been lost?”“No, I …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: I Have Never Been Lost, But I Was Bewildered Once for Three Days”
Michael Foot? Norman Mailer? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Hostility toward wealthy people has been expressed as follows: The top is greedy and mean and they will always find a way to take care of themselves. This statement has been attributed to British politician Michael Foot and U.S. author Norman Mailer. I am unsure because …
Don Herold? Nadine Stair? Nadine Star? Frank Dickey? Helen S. Moor? Berton Braley? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Imagine you were given the opportunity to live your life over again. What changes would you make? A popular essay made suggestions such as the following: (1) Pick more daisies(2) Ride more merry-go-rounds(3) Walk barefoot more often …
Waylon Jennings? P.J. O’Rourke? David Mamet? Johnny Rutherford? Luke Kaiser? Jerry Schofield? Fausto Coppi? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Physical abilities decline with age, but experience accumulates. The following adage is popular with feisty seniors: Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill. This saying has been attributed to singer-songwriter Waylon Jennings, playwright David …
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Rex Harrison? Ian Sinclair? Harry Cohn? Kenneth R. Smith? Marie Michael? Terry Goodkind? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: A powerful person once delivered a line that vividly combined anger and arrogance. After the individual harshly scolded an underling, an assistant said that the incessant episodes of rage might lead to a heart attack. The reply …
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Martha Quinn? Tom Freston? Judy McGrath? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: When MTV (music television) launched in 1981 numerous commentators were skeptical of its viability. Yet, the channel has persevered for decades. One of the early VJs (video jockeys) recalled the initial uncertainty, but the VJ added a twist with the following remark: Everybody said …