Alex Blechman? Ray Bradbury? Neal Stephenson? Mark Zuckerberg? Abe Murray? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Science fiction is filled with cautionary fables and dystopian visions such as the murderous HAL 9000 computer of the movie “2001”, the relentless T-800 robot of the movie “The Terminator”, the disorienting cyberspace of the short story “Burning Chrome” by William …
Author Archives: quoteresearch
Quote Origin: If There Is No Smoking in Heaven, I Shall Not Go There
Mark Twain? James Ross Clemens? Lowell Gleason? Roger Durrett? Apocryphal? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Mark Twain enjoyed smoking cigars. The following three closely related quips have been attributed to the famed humorist: (1) If I cannot smoke in heaven, I shall not go there.(2) If there are no cigars in heaven, I shall not …
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Quote Origin: The Friends of My Adversity I Shall Always Cherish Most
Ulysses S. Grant? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Distinguishing between true friends and fair-weather friends can be difficult. A former U.S. president stated that he cherished most those who remained friends when he was facing adversity. They relieved the gloom of his darkest hours. Apparently, Ulysses S. Grant said something like this. Would you please …
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Quote Origin: Life With a Capital F
Jacqueline Carol? Lilian Baylis? John Lennon? Athol Fugard? Charles Olson? Maud Carpenter? Ronnie Barker? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Exasperation or excitement produces the following exclamation which provides a capsule description of the human adventure: Life with a capital F. The “F” corresponds to the initial letter of the four-letter word for fornication. Yet, the …
Dialogue Origin: “Deep Learning Is Hitting a Wall” “There Is No Wall”
Gary Marcus? Sam Altman? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The progress achieved in artificial intelligence (AI) during the 21st century has been remarkable. Billions of dollars have been spent to build supercomputers and to train AI systems. Yet, the rate of future progress is uncertain. A skeptic stated: Deep learning is hitting a wall. An …
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Quote Origin: It’s the Things You Can’t See or Touch: Truth, Fairness, Justice, Courage, Sharing, Compassion, Love. Those Are the Elements of a Great Life
Jimmy Carter? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The things in life that you cannot directly see or touch are the most important, e.g., truth, justice, courage, compassion, and love. Apparently, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said something like this. I do not know the precise phrasing. Would you please help me to find a citation …
Quote Origin: If You See a Swiss Banker Jump Out of a Window, Jump Right After. There Is Bound To Be a Profit In It
Voltaire? Cardinal Richelieu? Étienne François de Choiseul? Catharine Sedgwick? Marie-Henri Beyle? Lionel de Rothschild? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Bankers in Switzerland are world-renowned for their financial acuity. Here are three remarks which illustrate this perception: (1) If you ever see a Swiss banker jump out of a window, jump after him; there is a …
Quote Origin: The Arts Are Not a Way to Make a Living. They Are a Very Human Way of Making Life More Bearable
Kurt Vonnegut? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Engaging in art is not lucrative. The proportion of artists who become wealthy is minuscule. Yet, the psychological and spiritual rewards are immense. A prominent writer apparently said the following: The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making …
Quote Origin: Worry Is Like Paying Interest On a Debt You Don’t Owe
Mark Twain? William Ralph Inge? Harry A. Thompson? Havelock Ellis? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Excessive worrying is debilitating to one’s mental health. Upsetting scenarios are often sidestepped, and the anguish was unnecessary. Here are three examples from a family of pertinent sayings: (1) Worry is interest paid on trouble before it falls due(2) Worry …
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Quote Origin: God Gave Us Memory So That We Might Have Roses in December
James Matthew Barrie? Lord Byron? Harriet Mary Carey? Charlotte Elliot? Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Human memory allows us to reflect on past experiences. During the frigid months of winter we can recall the sight and fragrance of beautiful flowers blooming in spring. Here are four instances from a pertinent family of sayings: …
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