Tracing Quotations
George Herbert? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Many have suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. The following adage suggests that one should persevere to achieve success and enjoyment: Living well is the best revenge. Would you please explore the provence of this remark? Reply from Quote Investigator: In 1640 George Herbert’s compilation of …
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Rudyard Kipling? Elizabeth Ogden Smith? Bob Rigley? Jean Kerr? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: The popular poem “If —” by the prominent literary figure Rudyard Kipling has often been parodied. The first lines extol the ability to remain levelheaded in situations where others are panicking. A comical twist suggests that the unflappable person probably does …
Creator: “Punch”, London humor magazine Context: On July 14, 1855 “Punch” published the following brief item containing the quotation: A SHORT CUT TO METAPHYSICS. What is Matter?—Never mind. What is Mind?—No matter. Related Article: Those Who Mind Don’t Matter, and Those Who Matter Don’t Mind Update History: On April 9, 2025 the format of the …
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A. A. Milne? Satchel Paige? William Gunning King? Lucy Maud Montgomery? Alice G. Young? Woodrow Wilson? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: I enjoy relaxing and daydreaming, so I’ve always been attracted to the following saying: Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits. These words have been credited to the creator of Winnie …
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Creator: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), famous humorist Context: Understanding the humor in the following passage requires familiarity with the cherry tree legend. A young Washington received a hatchet as a gift and impetuously chopped down a cherry tree owned by his father. When the future president was confronted he said “I cannot tell a lie. …
Francis Bacon? Theophilus Gale? David Hume? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The famous English philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon made an intriguing assertion about atheism. Here are three versions: (1) A little philosophy makes men atheists, though a great deal would cure them of Atheism. (2) A little knowledge drives man away from God, but …
Creator: Madonna Louise Ciccone, American singer, songwriter, and artistic entrepreneur Context: In 1991 “Vanity Fair” published a profile of Madonna within which she discussed her “iron will” and her trepidation. Emphasis added to this excerpt by QI: “And all of my will has always been to conquer some horrible feeling of inadequacy. I’m always struggling …
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Théophile Gautier? Molière? Alphonse Karr? Alexander Dumas père? A Mathematician? Prince Albert? Joseph Coyne? Honoré de Balzac?Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Operas and orchestra concerts are quite expensive productions. A deprecatory wit once grumbled about the outlays. Here are three versions: This thought has been attributed to the prominent French playwright Molière, …
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Creator: Ralph Waldo Emerson, prominent American essayist and transcendentalist philosopher Context: In 1836 when Emerson was 33 years old he wrote in his journal about bloody events in Spain and France. Emphasis added to excerpt: But in analysing history do not be too profound, for often the causes are quite superficial. In the present state …
Joseph Joubert? Matthew Arnold? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Imagination is crucial to cogitation, but it must be coupled with knowledge to achieve wholeness. Here are two versions of a germane adage: I was reminded of this saying while reading a QI analysis of a tangentially related quotation about roots and wings. Would you please …
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