Archive

Quotes

There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

—Oscar Wilde, 1891

We who officially value freedom of speech above life itself seem to have nothing to talk about but the weather.

—Barbara Ehrenreich, 1991

The only authors whom I acknowledge as American are the journalists. They indeed are not great writers, but they speak the language of their countrymen, and make themselves heard by them. 

—Alexis de Tocqueville, 1840

Envy and hatred are apt to blind the eyes and render them unable to behold things as they are.

—Margaret of Valois, c. 1600

Write while the heat is in you. The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with. He cannot inflame the minds of his audience.

—Henry David Thoreau, 1852

Many need no other provocation to enmity than that they find themselves excelled.

—Samuel Johnson, 1751

Those who go overseas find a change of climate, not a change of soul.

—Horace, c. 20 BC

I am an old scholar, better-looking now than when I was young. That’s what sitting on your ass does to your face.

—Leonard Cohen, 1970

It’s easy to be independent when you’ve got money. But to be independent when you haven’t got a thing—that’s the Lord’s test.

—Mahalia Jackson, 1966

Money is mourned with deeper sorrow than friends or kindred.

—Juvenal, 128

A private sin is not so prejudicial in this world as a public indecency.

—Miguel de Cervantes, 1615

I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. War is hell.

—William Tecumseh Sherman, 1879

He who laugheth too much, hath the nature of a fool; he that laugheth not at all, hath the nature of an old cat.

—Thomas Fuller, 1732