Tracing Quotations
Creator: Robert G. Ingersoll, prominent orator and exponent of agnosticism Context: In 1899 Ingersoll was asked to record his thoughts using an early phonograph device. According to a newspaper account his remarks included the following combination of hedonism and altruism. Emphasis added to excerpts: I, too, have my religion. It is this: Happiness is the …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: The Time To Be Happy Is Now; The Place To Be Happy Is Here”
Creator: Robert Downey Jr., Hollywood star known for playing comic book hero Iron Man and famous sleuth Sherlock Holmes Context: While living in Los Angles the photographer Karen Hardy Bystedt met with young performers who were launching their movie careers: Amazingly, more than half the actors and actresses I interviewed and photographed between 1987 and …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Mediocrity is My Biggest Fear”
Isaac Newton? Howard W. Newton? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: The brilliant physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton supposedly coined the following expression: Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy. A variant of this statement uses “knack” instead of “art”. Interestingly, Isaac Newton made some powerful enemies during his lifetime. Do …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Tact Is the Knack of Making a Point Without Making an Enemy”
Toni Morrison? Benjamin Disraeli? Mickey Spillane? C. S. Lewis? J. R. R. Tolkien? Janet Fitch? Ann Patchett? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The prominent American editor, writer, and educator Toni Morrison who authored the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Beloved” has been credited with an exhilarating remark about the creative process: If there’s a book you really …
Simon Newcomb? John Casey? George McC. Robson? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The number π is a fundamental mathematical constant which equals the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Trillions of digits of the decimal expansion of π have been calculated using electronic computers and innovative algorithms. Yet, this precision is not needed …
Olivia Wyndham? Marjorie G. Hellier? Kevin J. Cook? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: I have been attempting to trace an uplifting proverb about adventure and discovery: Life is a treasure hunt. The lesson of this phrase is illustrated by the delight experienced when uncovering early instances of this adage. Would you please help? Reply from …
Ilka Chase vs. Humphrey Bogart? Ilka Chase vs. Anonymous Actress? Sylvia Strum Bremer vs. Cynic? Liz Carpenter vs. Arthur Schlesinger Jr.? Eric Morecambe vs. Ernie Wise? Question for Quote Investigator: For many years ghostwriters have been composing books for well-known celebrities. The following prickly repartee shows that authorship is a sensitive topic: “I enjoyed your …
Creator: Bernard Baruch, U.S. financier, philanthropist, and presidential adviser Context: In 1948 Bernard M. Baruch spoke at a youth forum sponsored by “The New York Daily Mirror” newspaper and offered several rules for success to his listeners including the following. Boldface added to excerpt: Be quick to praise. People like to praise those who praise …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Be Quick To Praise. People Like To Praise Those Who Praise Them”
Benjamin Franklin? H. K. Williams? James H. Hope? E. B. Gregory? Dalton E. Brady? Robert H. Schuller? John Wooden? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Proper planning is fundamental to success. Benjamin Franklin has been credited with an admonitory aphorism. Here are three versions using “plan” and “prepare”: The memorability of this statement is enhanced by …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: If You Fail To Prepare You Are Preparing To Fail”
Creator: Margaret Atwood, prominent Canadian novelist and essayist Context: Atwood’s 2005 novella “The Penelopiad” re-envisioned the myth of Odysseus by re-centering the tale on Penelope who was the wife of the ancient hero. Penelope’s father was King Icarius of Sparta, and her mother was a Naiad, i.e., a water nymph. Commenting on her partially divine …