And I Quote

In regard to quotations, which is obviously one of the main themes here at Jen’s place, I admit partiality toward Twain and Churchill; they have such a unique gift for massaging the English language. In fact, Churchill has a quote of his own on the subject of quotations:

It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of quotations. Bartlett's Familiar Quotations is an admirable work, and I studied it intently. The quotations when engraved upon the memory give you good thoughts. They also make you anxious to read the authors and look for more.

But Twain and Churchill are by no means alone. Some quotations worth remembering need not be a unique play on words or overly thought provoking. Sometimes, just plain common sense works. For example, Carl T. Smith, the Beaufort writer, on the necessity of a good opening when writing fiction.

"I don't think you have to have a dead horse in the living room on the first page, but maybe you may need one that's pretty sick.

Twain has nothing on this fellow.

Posted by at January 7, 2004 09:49 AM