Tracing Quotations
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 …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: The Friends of My Adversity I Shall Always Cherish Most”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Dialogue Origin: “Deep Learning Is Hitting a Wall” “There Is No Wall””
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Worry Is Like Paying Interest On a Debt You Don’t Owe”
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: …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: God Gave Us Memory So That We Might Have Roses in December”
Hans von Bulow? Niccolo Paganini? Jennie Fowler Willing? Maria Malibran? Charles Haddon Spurgeon? Anton Rubinstein? August Wilhelmj? Ole Bull? Ignacy Paderewski? Franz Liszt? Jascha Heifetz? Fritz Kreisler? Question for Quote Investigator: There is a popular saying about the enormous importance of regularly engaging in practice to maintain prowess as a performer in music and other …
Mark Twain? Albert Bigelow Paine? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Apparently, Mark Twain adored cats. He once humorously wrote about genetically crossing cats and people. He concluded that the quality of people would be improved, but the quality of cats would deteriorate. Would you please help me to find the exact quotation together with a …