Tracing Quotations
Mark Twain? Warren Neufeld? Bruce Babbitt? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Fresh water is an essential resource, and the battles over water rights in the Western region of the United States can be bruising. Famed humorist Mark Twain is often given credit for an incisively funny remark about this. Here are three versions: Whiskey is …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Whiskey Is for Drinking; Water Is for Fighting Over”
Drake? Lawrence T. Holman? Chet Huntley? Katharine Ross? Rose Tremain? Wayne Dyer? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: William Shakespeare said “All the world’s a stage”, and the metaphor of life as a theatrical performance has a very long history. The quotation that interests me fits in this metaphorical framework, but I think it was coined …
Marilyn Monroe? Bette Midler? Anonymous? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: There is a picture on several Pinterest pinboards and Tumblrs that shows a young girl walking in oversized shoes with the following quotation superimposed on the image Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world. —Marilyn Monroe A recent article on …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Give a Girl the Right Shoes and She Can Conquer the World”
William Shakespeare? Arrigo Boito? Jeane Westin? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: I have a question about a quotation depicting communication between lovers. The following words are often ascribed to William Shakespeare: When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew. Sometimes the play Romeo and Juliet is named as the …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: When I Saw You I Fell in Love, and You Smiled Because You Knew”
John Lennon? Charles Schulz? Goldie Hawn? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Did musical superstar John Lennon really tell the following story about his childhood? When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: They Asked Me What I Wanted To Be When I Grew Up. I Said ‘Happy’”
Socrates? Dan Millman? All-Night Gas-Station Attendant? Nick Nolte? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A friend recently offered me a piece of advice that he thought reflected ancient wisdom: The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. These words were attributed to Socrates, …
Warren Buffett? Frank Fellinger? Apocryphal? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: The funniest and most perceptive comment about the precious metal gold is attributed to the super-investor Warren Buffett: Gold gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or some place. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to …
Joseph Campbell? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Joseph Campbell was renowned for teaching about the mythologies of many cultures. The following statement is often ascribed to him: The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. I have looked through several of his books and have not located this quote. Did he say …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: The Cave You Fear to Enter Holds the Treasure You Seek”
Walt Disney? Diane Disney Miller? Pete Martin? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Animator, producer, and entrepreneur Walt Disney suffered many setbacks before he became a world-famous entertainer. For example, he founded the Laugh-O-Gram company to make animated films in Missouri, and the pioneering studio ended up in bankruptcy. Disney learned from his mistakes and persevered, …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: A Kick in the Teeth May Be the Best Thing in the World for You”
Noah Webster? Samuel Johnson? Chauncey Depew? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: There is a ribald anecdote about one of the world’s greatest dictionary makers that I would like you to explore. The tale claims that the lexicographer Noah Webster had a secret libertine inclination. One day his wife returned home and was shocked to discover …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: You Are Astonished. I Am Surprised”