Winston Churchill? Bertram Carr? F. W. Cole? John D. Rockefeller? L. P. Jacks? Helen Keller? Anonymous? Dear Quote investigator: Here are four versions of a popular saying about differing mental attitudes: The pessimist sees an obstacle in every opportunity; the optimist sees an opportunity in every obstacle. An optimist finds an opportunity in every difficulty; …
Category Archives: Winston Churchill
An Empty Taxi Arrived and Clement Attlee Stepped Out of It
Winston Churchill? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: Critics of U.K. Prime Minister Clement Attlee viewed him as an insubstantial and dull figure. The following quip apparently circulated during the 1940s: An empty taxi arrived at 10 Downing Street and Clement Attlee got out of it. These words are often attributed to Winston Churchill. What do you …
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The Young Sow Wild Oats. The Old Grow Sage
Winston Churchill? Stephen Fry? Henry James Byron? W. Davenport Adams? Aubrey Stewart? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: The recent memoir by English comedian and actor Stephen Fry contains the following intriguing remark:[1] 2015 (Copyright 2014), More Fool Me: A Memoir by Stephen Fry, Chapter: The Early Days, Section: Waiting for My Man, The Overlook Press: Peter …
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Sure, We’ll Have Fascism in This Country, and We’ll Call It Anti-Fascism
Huey Long? Winston Churchill? Bruce Bliven? H. L. Mencken? Lawrence Dennis? Jimmy Street? Robert Cantwell? Lawrence Dennis? Halford Luccock Dear Quote Investigator: The famous populist Huey Long and British leader Winston Churchill have both been credited with a bold prediction about political deception. Here are two versions: When the United States gets fascism, it will …
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Dictators Ride To and Fro Upon Tigers from Which They Dare Not Dismount
Winston Churchill? Harry Truman? Chinese Adage? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: Anyone who was sitting atop a tiger would have a difficult time dismounting safely. Apparently, this scenario has been employed metaphorically by the political leaders Winston Churchill and Harry Truman. Would you please explore this topic? Quote Investigator: In 1937 Winston Churchill delivered an address …
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We Shall Escape the Absurdity of Growing a Whole Chicken in Order To Eat the Breast or Wing
Winston Churchill? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: Scientists have successfully produced meat in culture without the need to grow an entire animal. Apparently, long ago Winston Churchill envisioned this possibility, and he predicted that chicken wings would be created without growing a full chicken. Would you please locate Churchill’s remarks on this topic? Quote Investigator: The …
Quote Origin: If Anyone Says Anything Back, That Is an Outrage
Winston Churchill? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Genuine free speech entails disagreement and debate; it is never a one-sided notion. According to a Facebook meme Winston Churchill supposedly said: Some people’s idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage. …
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Dancing Is a Perpendicular Expression of a Horizontal Desire
George Bernard Shaw? George Melly? I. S. Johar? Ann Landers? Patrick Harte? Robert Frost? Winston Churchill? Oscar Wilde? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: Here are two versions of an adage highlighting the sensual aspects of popular gyrations: Dancing is a perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire. Dancing is a vertical expression of a horizontal idea. George …
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The Trouble with Socialism Is Socialism; the Trouble with Capitalism is Capitalists
William F. Buckley Jr.? William Schlamm? Winston Churchill? Herbert Hoover? Dear Quote Investigator: I have heard a humorous saying that compares two major economic systems: The problem with socialism is socialism. The problem with capitalism is capitalists. These words have been attributed to conservative commentator William F Buckley Jr. and British statesman Winston Churchill. Would …
Quote Origin: We Shape Our Tools, and Thereafter Our Tools Shape Us
Marshall McLuhan? Winston Churchill? Henry David Thoreau? Robert Flaherty? Emerson Brown? John Culkin? William J. Mitchell? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: The famous media theorist Marshall McLuhan has been credited with a brilliant adage about the co-evolution of humans and tools. Here are two versions: I have not been able to find a good citation. Would …
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