George Orwell? Bertrand Russell? Thomas Sowell? Nicholas Kisburg? George Will? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Intelligent individuals sometimes embrace remarkably foolish ideas. Here are four versions of an acerbic remark: (1) One has to belong to the intelligentsia to believe things like that: no ordinary man could be such a fool. (2) This is one …
Author Archives: quoteresearch
Quote Origin: Through Love, Through Friendship, a Heart Lives More Than One Life
Anais Nin? Rosalie Maggio? Katherine Young? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A deep emotional rapport with another person allows one to live vicariously. A famous diarist apparently said the following: Through love, through friendship, a heart lives more than one life. This statement has been ascribed to French-born U.S. author Anaïs Nin. Would you please …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Through Love, Through Friendship, a Heart Lives More Than One Life”
Quote Origin: Fascist Movement – To Fascinate Fools and Muzzle the Intelligent
Bertrand Russell? Ruth Nanda Anshen? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A prominent thinker said something like the following: the success of fascism is based on fascinating the fools and muzzling the intelligent. Would you please help me to determine the name of the author and the correct phrasing? Reply from Quote Investigator: In 1940 U.S. …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Fascist Movement – To Fascinate Fools and Muzzle the Intelligent”
Anecdote Origin: “Why Didn’t You Buy That From Me?” “You Never Asked Me.”
Henry Ford? Philip C. Gunion? Norval Hawkins? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Salespeople must directly and unambiguously request appropriate actions. This lesson is taught in an anecdote about a wealthy business magnate who purchased an expensive item. A friend of the magnate asked, “Why didn’t you buy that item from me?” The magnate replied “You …
Continue reading “Anecdote Origin: “Why Didn’t You Buy That From Me?” “You Never Asked Me.””
Quote Origin: The Best Thing About the Future Is That It Comes Only One Day at a Time
Abraham Lincoln? Dean Acheson? Vermont Woman? Andrew Tully? Lion? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Contemplating the future can be overwhelming when one is facing endless demands and myriad dangers. The following saying mixes humor, acceptance, and sanguinity: The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time. U.S. President …
Quote Origin: If I Told You That You Have a Gorgeous Figure Would You Hold It Against Me?
Groucho Marx? David Bellamy? Max Miller? Monty Python? George Little? Barney Horrigan? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: In 1979 the Bellamy Brothers released a popular country music song with a humorous title: If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me? This line has been attributed to the famous comedian …
Quote Origin: Annihilation Has No Terrors For Me, Because I Have Already Tried It Before I Was Born
Mark Twain? Isaac Asimov? Vincent van Gogh? Harold S. Kushner? Harold S. Kushner? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A famous author once commented on the anxiety induced by the contemplation of mortality. Here are two versions: (1) Annihilation has no terrors for me, because I have already tried it before I was born—a hundred million …
Quote Origin: Books Are Made Out of Books
Cormac McCarthy? Richard B. Woodward? Henry Holland? Paul Valéry? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: A prominent literary figure was asked to name other influential writers. The sharp reply emphasized the interconnectedness of all cultural text: The ugly fact is books are made out of books. This statement has been ascribed to Cormac McCarthy who penned …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Books Are Made Out of Books”
Quote Origin: There Is a Thin Line Between Genius and Insanity. I Have Erased That Line
Oscar Levant? Zsa Zsa Gabor? John Dryden? Colin Wilson? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A self-deprecating comedian once delivered an acerbic remark about insanity. Here are two versions: (1) There is a thin line between genius and insanity. I have erased that line.(2) There is a fine line between sanity and insanity. I’ve managed to …
Quote Origin: The Cat Sat On the Mat Is Not a Story; the Cat Sat On the Dog’s Mat is the Beginning of an Exciting Story
John le Carré? Michael Dean? Austin Kleon? James Scott Bell? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A popular story requires tension, danger, and conflict. A top-selling author once summarized this viewpoint with an entertaining statement about animals: “The cat sat on the mat” is not a story. “The cat sat on the dog’s mat” is a …