Tracing Quotations
Robert Frost? George William Curtis? Arthur Deerin Call? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Everyone encounters difficult problems and arduous tasks. When avoidance is impossible it becomes necessary to face these challenges directly. Here are four versions of a pertinent adage: (1) The only way out is through.(2) The best way out is always through.(3) No …
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Will Rogers? Eddie Cantor? Benjamin Franklin? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Risky investments offer high returns, but the money invested may be completely lost. A family of statements uses wordplay to express a memorable warning. Here are three instances: (1) I learned to worry about the return of my money instead of the return on …
Ernest Hemingway? Natalie Goldberg? Conrad Aiken? Joan Crawford? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: I have repeatedly encountered the following advice directed toward aspiring writers: Write hard and clear about what hurts. This statement has been attributed to Ernest Hemingway, but I am skeptical because I have never seen a solid citation. Would you please explore …
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Mark Twain? Margo T. Brandt? Kimber Crocker? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: A popular poem is employed during wedding celebrations. Here are the first two lines: I cannot promise you a life of sunshineI cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold This poem has been attributed to the famous U.S. writer Mark Twain, but I have …
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John Wooden? Bill Walton? Joyce Fittro? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A famously successful coach was often asked for advice, but he had no desire to be rigidly didactic; hence, he would say: I don’t give advice, I give opinions. This statement has been credited to U.S. basketball coach John Wooden who won ten NCAA …
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Erskine Caldwell? Stanley J. Kunitz? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: As a budding author I have often been told that I must hone my craft by reading numerous good books. Hence, I was astounded when I encountered the following statement from an acclaimed bestselling author: All that I am I attribute to my dislike for …
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Daniel Boone? Chester Harding? Margaret Eliot White? Gene Tunney? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Daniel Boone was a famous U.S. pioneer and frontiersman. Boone’s hunting and tracking skills were celebrated. Boone has been credited with the following humorous response to a question about his adventures: “During your long hunts have you ever been lost?”“No, I …
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Michael Foot? Norman Mailer? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Hostility toward wealthy people has been expressed as follows: The top is greedy and mean and they will always find a way to take care of themselves. This statement has been attributed to British politician Michael Foot and U.S. author Norman Mailer. I am unsure because …
Don Herold? Nadine Stair? Nadine Star? Frank Dickey? Helen S. Moor? Berton Braley? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Imagine you were given the opportunity to live your life over again. What changes would you make? A popular essay made suggestions such as the following: (1) Pick more daisies(2) Ride more merry-go-rounds(3) Walk barefoot more often …
Waylon Jennings? P.J. O’Rourke? David Mamet? Johnny Rutherford? Luke Kaiser? Jerry Schofield? Fausto Coppi? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Physical abilities decline with age, but experience accumulates. The following adage is popular with feisty seniors: Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill. This saying has been attributed to singer-songwriter Waylon Jennings, playwright David …
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