Martin Luther King Jr.? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: While reading about the economics of health care I came across the following statement attributed to the famous civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.: Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane. A writer at “The Huffington …
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Quote Origin: This Diary Is My Kief, Hashish, and Opium Pipe. This Is My Drug and My Vice
Anaïs Nin? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The acclaimed modern diarist Anaïs Nin apparently experienced an addictive intensity when writing in her diary. The following words have been attributed to her: This diary is my kief, hashish, and opium pipe. Is this an authentic quotation, or is it simply a hallucination? Reply from Quote Investigator: …
Quote Origin: Cloquet Hated Reality But Realized It Was Still the Only Place to Get a Good Steak
Woody Allen? Groucho Marx? Cloquet? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The comedian and movie director Woody Allen sometimes constructs ontological jokes. For example, the following is attributed to Allen: I hate reality, but it is still the only place where I can get a decent steak. Oddly, the following very similar quip has been credited …
Quote Origin: It Rolls Off My Back Like a Duck
Samuel Goldwyn? George Oppenheimer? Ellenor Stoothoff? Andrew Carnegie? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The phrase “like water off a duck’s back” is a well-known idiom that refers to an incident or a comment having little or no effect on a person. Here is a comically garbled version of the expression: It rolls off my back …
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Quote Origin: Intelligence Without Ambition Is a Bird Without Wings
Salvador Dali? Walter H. Cottingham? Laura E. Riding? C. Archie Danielson? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Some individuals have impressive natural gifts and aptitudes but do not have strong desires or motivations. Their worthwhile potential achievements often remain unrealized. The following adage embodies this notion: Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings. These words …
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Quote Origin: Gentlemen, You Have Come Sixty Days Too Late. The Depression Is Over
Herbert Hoover? John A. Ryan? Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.? Apocryphal Question for Quote Investigator: The great depression which began in 1929 was one of the most serious economic calamities of the twentieth century. In the U.S. a high unemployment rate persisted for more than a decade. Herbert Hoover was the U.S. President when the crisis …
Quote Origin: War Does Not Determine Who Is Right — Only Who Is Left
Bertrand Russell? Frank P. Hobgood? Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre? Reader’s Digest? Montreal Star? Andrew Carnegie? Winston Churchill? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: A piquant slogan has been used by pacifists and peace activists for decades. Here are two variants: The first saying is often attributed to the philosopher and social thinker Bertrand Russell, but I …
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Quote Origin: The Customer Is Always Right
Marshall Field? Harry Gordon Selfridge? John Wanamaker? César Ritz? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: There is a famous customer service slogan that has been highlighted by several business people. Here are two versions: The customer is always right.The customer is never wrong. Do you know who created this motto? Reply from Quote Investigator: The earliest …
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Quote Origin: Our Comedies Are Not To Be Laughed At
Samuel Goldwyn? William Cox? Cumberland’s Comedies? Mack Sennett? Johnny Grey? Christie Comedies? Abe Stern? Carl Laemmle? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: A Hollywood movie producer had achieved great fame with opulent historical dramas. His company also released financially lucrative comedies which were embraced by audiences but lambasted by critics. While attending a lavish party the …
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Quote Origin: Not Everyone Will Understand Your Journey. That’s Fine. It’s Not Their Journey To Make Sense Of. It’s Yours
Zero Dean? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: On Facebook I saw a cogent statement about purpose and individuality: Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s fine. It’s not their journey to make sense of. It’s yours. These words were superimposed on a beautiful picture, but no ascription was provided. You have examined many quotations with …