Tracing Quotations
George Bernard Shaw? Oscar Wilde? Clarence Rook? Alexander Woollcott? Hesketh Pearson? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A playwright feared that his upcoming work was about to flop at the box office. After the surprisingly successful inaugural performance the bewildered playwright appeared on stage. Amongst the resounding cheers there was a barely audible hiss. The playwright …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: I Quite Agree With You, But Who Are We Two Against So Many?”
Elizabeth Warren? Ann Richards? Julia Louis-Dreyfus? Cecile Richards? Pat Rusk? David Horowitz? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: If one wishes to influence a decision then one must be present at the negotiation table. If one is absent then an unfavorable decision is likely. Metaphorically, one’s rights and interests will be consumed by the other participants …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: If You Are Not at the Table Then You’re Probably on the Menu”
Herbert A. Simon? Hubert L. Dreyfus? Raymond Kurzweil? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has achieved several remarkable triumphs in recent years. For example, in 2017 the number one ranked Go player in the world was beaten by a computer program called AlphaGo. Yet, the progress of AI has been …
Oscar Wilde? Titus Lucretius Carus? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: One person may enjoy a food or activity that another person finds repellent. A well-known adage expresses this notion: One man’s meat is another man’s poison. The following funny variant has been attributed to the famous wit Oscar Wilde: One man’s poetry is another man’s …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: One Man’s Poetry Is Another Man’s Poison”
Abraham Lincoln? Francis Bicknell Carpenter? Carl Sandburg? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Apparently Abraham Lincoln employed a vividly powerful metaphor when discussing the people’s responsibility during an election. The precise phrasing is uncertain. Here is one version: If the people turn their backs to a fire they will burn their behinds, and they will just …
Satchel Paige? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: The famous baseball player Satchel Paige once offered advice about staying young at heart. Here are three versions: Would you please help me to find the correct phrasing and an accurate citation? Reply from Quote Investigator: In June 1953 “Collier’s” magazine published a profile of Leroy Satchel Paige. …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Don’t Look Back. Something Might Be Gaining On You”
James Matthew Barrie? Oscar Wilde? Benjamin Disraeli? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Young people often reject the teachings of their elders. They believe that their understanding is superior. An older individual constructed the following ironic barb: I am not young enough to know everything. This statement has often been attributed to the famous Irish wit …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: I’m Not Young Enough To Know Everything”
Oscar Wilde? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Oscar Wilde once constructed an epigram about human knowledge and the three stages of life. I recall Wilde’s remarks about two of the stages. The arrogant young know everything, and the credulous old believe anything. Would you please help me to find this epigram? Reply from Quote Investigator: …
Oscar Wilde? Francis Douglas? 11th Marquess of Queensberry? Percy Colson? Mark Twain? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: The Book of Genesis describes the creation of the world and the formation of Adam and Eve. The actions of this couple in the Garden of Eden quickly revealed behavioral defects. A sardonic commentator has suggested that God …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: God In Creating Man, Somewhat Overestimated His Ability”
Katharine Whitehorn? Confucius? Elbert Hubbard? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A generation of social media stars began by sharing their passions, e.g., playing video games, applying makeup, preparing meals, or animating short tales. Lucrative careers became possible with support from advertisers, patrons, and merchandise deals. Vocational advice from decades ago is especially pertinent today: Find …