It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous.
Robert Benchley (1889-1945) American humorist, columnist, actor, wit
(Attributed)
In Nathaniel Benchley, Robert Benchley, ch. 1 (1955)
Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work he is supposed be doing at that moment.
Robert Benchley (1889-1945) American humorist, columnist, actor, wit
(Attributed)
In Robert E. Drennan, The Algonquin Wits (1968)
Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile … initially scared me to death.
(Other Authors and Sources)
Betty Bender
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
Texas Bix Bender (contemp.) American cowboy philosopher, announcer, actor, writer [stage name for Steve Arwood]
Don’t Squat with Yer Spurs On! (1992)
The trouble is not that we are never happy — it is that happiness is so episodical.
Ruth Benedict (1887-1947) American anthropologist
An Anthropologist at Work, Journal (1912-1916), [ed. Margaret Mead] (1959)
Full text.
If we justify war, it is because all peoples always justify the traits of which they find themselves possessed, not because war will bear an objective examination of its merits.
Ruth Benedict (1887-1947) American anthropologist
Patterns of Culture, I (1934)
No man ever looks at the world with pristine eyes. He sees it edited by a definite set of customs and institutions and ways of thinking.
Ruth Benedict (1887-1947) American anthropologist
Patterns of Culture, I (1934)
I have made mistakes, but have never made the mistake of claiming I never made one.
James Gordon Bennett, Jr. (1841-1918) American editor, newspaper publisher
(Attributed)
Happiness is like a cat — if you coax it or call it, it will avoid you; it won’t come. But if you pay no attention to it and go about your business, you will find it rubbing against your legs and jumping into your lap.
William J. Bennett (b. 1943) American politician, moralist
Commencement Address, George Mason University (22 May 1999)
(Source)
I don’t deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don’t deserve that either.
Jack Benny (1894-1974) American comedian [b. Benjamin Kubelsky]
(Attributed)
The worst sorrows in life are not in its losses and misfortune, but its fears.
A. C. Benson (1862-1925) English writer [Arthur Christopher Benson]
(Attributed)
How desperately difficult it is to be honest with oneself. It is much easier to be honest with other people.
E. F. Benson (1867-1940) English novelist, biographer, memoirist and short story writer [Edward Frederic Benson]
A Reaping, “March” (1909)
Full text. (Sometimes misattributed to Edward White Benson)
He rather hated the ruling few than loved the suffering many.
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) English jurist and philosopher
Comment on James Mill
(Source)
In the journal of Caroline Fox (7 Aug 1840), regarding the father of John Stuart Mill. James Mill was a proponent of Bentham's philosophy. The observation was recalled in conversation with John Bowring, Bentham's executor.
Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago.
Bernard Berenson (1865-1959) Lithuanian-American art critic and historian
Notebook (1892)
There is no obstacle which cannot be broken down by wills sufficiently keyed up, if they deal with it in time. There is thus no inescapable historic law.
Henri-Louis Bergson (1859-1941) French philosopher
The Two Sources of Morality and Religion, “Final Remarks” (tr. R. Ashley Audra and Cloudesley Brereton, 1935) (1932)
The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.
Robertson Davies (1913-1995) Canadian author, editor, publisher
Tempest-tost (1951)
Commonly misattributed to Henri-Louis Bergson.
It may be that the whole is simple, and that we are looking at it from the wrong point of view.
Henri-Louis Bergson (1859-1941) French philosopher
The Two Sources of Morality and Religion, “Dynamic Religion” (1932)
I don’t care if you burn.
Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) French actress
(Attributed)
When Oscar Wilde asked, "Do you mind if I smoke?"
He who says there is no such thing as an honest man, you may be sure is himself a knave.
George Berkeley (1685-1753) Irish philosopher, Anglican bishop
Maxims Concerning Patriotism (1750)
It is impossible that a man who is false to his friends and neighbours should be true to the public.
George Berkeley (1685-1753) Irish philosopher, Anglican bishop
Maxims Concerning Patriotism (1750)
Age is no mark of merit unless you do something constructive with it.
Irving Berlin (1888-1989) American songwriter [b. Isidore Beilin]
(c. 1980)
A committee is a group that keeps the minutes and loses hours.
Milton Berle (1908-2002) American comic
(1 Jul. 1954)
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.
[Le temps est un grand maître, dit-on; le malheur est qu’il soit un maître inhumain qui tue ses élèves.]
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) French composer
Letter (Nov 1856)
Every composer knows the anguish and despair occasioned by forgetting ideas which one has not time to write down.
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) French composer
Mémoires, ch. 46, “The Capture of Constantine,” 1837 [tr. Newman (1966)] (1870)
PICARD: Mr. Worf, do you know Gilbert and Sullivan?
WORF: No sir. I have not had a chance to meet all the new crew members since I have been back.Rick Berman (b. 1945) American screenwriter, producer
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
with Michael Pillar
Errors are refuted by argument, not by fire.
Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) French religious, Doctor of the Church, saint
(Attributed)
The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only hope.
Wendell Berry (b. 1934) American farmer, educator, poet, conservationist
The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture, ch. 1 (1977)
(Source)
Yeah, but we’re making good time.
Yogi Berra (1925-2015) American baseball player, coach, manager [b. Lawrence Peter Berra]
(Spurious)
When told by Joe Garagiola (or Phil Rizzuto) the car they were in was lost, according to Merle Jones in 1963. Berra says he used the phrase, but with his family in 1972. The joke (not by Berra) can be found dated back to at least the late 1940s. More here.
Refusal to believe until proof is given is a rational position; denial of all outside our own limited experience is absurd.
Annie Besant (1847-1933) English theosophist, Indian political leader [pseud. Ajax]
(Attributed)
I had an immense advantage over many others dealing with the problem inasmuch as I had no fixed ideas derived from long-established practice to control and bias my mind, and did not suffer from the general belief that whatever is, is right.
Henry Bessemer (1813-1898) English engineer and inventor
An Autobiography, ch. 6 (on the development of the cane press)
We should live as though our life would be both long and short.
Bias of Priene (fl. c. 650) Greek philosopher
(Attributed)
To others we are not ourselves but a performer in their lives, cast for a part we do not even know that we are playing.
Elizabeth Bibesco (1897-1945) Romanian-English writer
Haven (1951)
EGOTIST, n. A person of low taste, more interested in himself than in me.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Egotist,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1884-05-17).
DEBAUCHEE, n. One who has so earnestly pursued pleasure that he has had the misfortune to overtake it.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Debauchee,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911).
Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1881-12-02).
DIARY, n. A daily record of that part of one’s life, which he can relate to himself without blushing.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Diary,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1882-05-24).
CYNIC, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things the way they are, and not as they ought to be.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Cynic,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911).
Originally appeared in his "The Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1881-10-28).
In his "Town Crier" column in the News Letter (1872-03-09), he wrapped up his personal philosophy so: "And, finally, most important of all, endeavor to see things as they are, not as they ought to be."
DESTINY, n. A tyrant’s authority for crime, and a fool’s excuse for failure.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Destiny,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
POLITICS, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Politics,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1906-03-16), and the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner (1906-03-21).
PREJUDICE, n. A vagrant opinion without visible means of support.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Prejudice,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1906-05-30) and the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner (1906-06-20).
PEACE, n. In international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Peace,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1904-12-26), and the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner (1905-01-03).
POSITIVE, adj. Mistaken at the top of one’s voice.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Positive,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1906-03-16) and the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner (1906-03-21).
REFERENDUM, n. A law for submission of proposed legislation to a popular vote to learn the nonsensus of public opinion.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Referendum,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works.
RESOLUTE, adj. Obstinate in a course that we approve.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Resolute,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works
See "Obstinate."
SCRIPTURES, n. The sacred books of our holy religion, as distinguished from the false and profane writings on which all other faiths are based.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Scriptures,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works.
RECONSIDER, v. To seek a justification for a decision already made.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Reconsider,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works.
RASH, adj. Insensible to the value of our advice.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Rash,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner.
QUOTATION, n. The act of repeating erroneously the words of another. The words erroneously repeated.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Quotation,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1906-06-29).
RADICALISM, n. The conservatism of to-morrow injected into the affairs of to-day.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Radicalism,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1906-06-29).
Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
Groucho Marx (1890-1977) American comedian [b. Julius Henry Marx]
(Attributed)
Quoted by Ever Star, "Inside TV," Greensboro Record (3 Nov 1954). Also attributed to Ambrose Bierce, Henry Ward Beecher, and Lawrence J. Peter. More research and discussion here.
RUMOR, n. A favorite weapon of the assassins of character.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Rumor,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works.
DISCUSSION, n. A method of confirming others in their errors.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Discussion,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1882-04-02).
PRAY, v. To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Pray,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1906-04-06) and the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner (1906-04-11).
EDUCATION, n. That which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of understanding.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Education,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1882-12-23).
IMPIETY, n. Your irreverence toward my deity.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Impiety,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1885-09-12).
DISTANCE, n. The only thing that the rich are willing for the poor to call theirs, and keep.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Distance,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1882-04-02).
MISFORTUNE, n. The kind of fortune that never misses.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Misfortune,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1904-08-30).
SELF-EVIDENT, adj. Evident to one’s self and to nobody else.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Self-Evident,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works.
There’s nothing new under the sun, but there are lots of old things we don’t know.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
(Attributed)
SELFISH, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Selfish,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works.
TRINITY, n. […] The Trinity is one of the most sublime mysteries of our holy religion. In rejecting it because it is incomprehensible, Unitarians betray their inadequate sense of theological fundamentals. In religion we believe only what we do not understand, except in the instance of an intelligible doctrine that contradicts an incomprehensible one. In that case we believe the former as a part of the latter.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Trinity,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works.
REVERENCE, n. The spiritual attitude of a man to a god and a dog to a man.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Reverence,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)
Originally published in The Devil's Dictionary [A-Z] as Vol. 7 of his Collected Works.
DIPLOMACY, n. The patriotic art of lying for one’s country.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Diplomacy,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)
Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1882-03-24).
We regard our living together not as an unfortunate mishap warranting endless competition among us, but as a deliberate act of God to make us a community of brothers and sisters jointly involved in the quest for a composite answer to the varied problems of life.
Stephen Biko (1946-1977) South African civil rights activist
Paper at conference in Natal, S. Africa (1971)
What the moral army needs just now is more rank and file and fewer brigadier generals.
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
(Attributed)
Every man has his follies — and often they are the most interesting thing he had got.
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
(Attributed)
Thare iz plenty ov happiness in this life if we only knu it: and one way tew find it iz, when we hav got the old rumatiz tew thank Heaven that it aint the old gout.
[There is plenty of happiness in this life if we only knew it: and one way to find it is, when we have got the old rheumatism to thank Heaven that it ain’t the old gout.]
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, ch. 137 “Affurisms: Tadpoles” (1874)
(Source)
In Fred Lewis Pattee, A History of American Literature Since 1870 (1915), this is paraphrased "The best cure for rheumatism is to thank the Lord it ain't the gout."
In a similar vein, in Josh Billings' Old Farmer's Allminax, 1870-1879, January 1878, "Chips" (1902):The best relief for the rumatiz, that haz been diskovered yet, iz to find sum phellow who haz got the gout bad, and then pitty him.
[The best relief for the rheumatism that has been discovered yet is to find some fellow who has got the gout bad, and then pity him.]
and in H. Montague, ed., Wit and Wisdom of Josh Billings (1913)The best remedy for RHEUMATISM that's ever yet been discovered is to find some fellow who has a bad case of the gout, pity him and forget yourself.
Consider the postage stamp: Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
(Attributed)
As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand.
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings: His Sayings (1865)
Nature never makes any blunders; when she makes a fool she means it.
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings: His Sayings (1865)
Flattery iz like colone water, tew be smelt ov, not swallered.
[Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed.]
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1870-02 (1870 ed.)
(Source)
This passage can be originally found in column material, e.g., in the Middlesex County Journal (Massachusetts) (1969-07-10), "Sollum Thoughts":Flattery is like kolone water, tew be smelt ov, not swallowed.
Politeness haz won more viktorys than logick ever haz.
[Politeness has won more victories than logic ever has.]
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings: His Sayings (1865)
Human knowledge is very short, and don’t reach but a little ways, and even that little ways iz twilite; but faith lengthens out the road, and makes it light, so that we kan see tew read the letterings on the mile stuns.
[Human knowledge is very short, and doesn’t reach but a little way, and even that little way is twilight; but faith lengthens out the road, and makes it light, so that we can see to read the lettering on the milestones.]
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, ch. 9 “Essays: Faith” (1874)
(Source)
This may be the source of an attributed Billings quote I cannot find in his writings: "Faith was given to man to lengthen out his reason."
People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.
Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) Prussian statesman
(Attributed)
But they think they know it. And their idea is all the same. You can trace it to the same thing, doesn’t make any difference what it is, what their experience is, or why they’re mad with the Court. It’s all because each one of them believes that the Constitution prohibits that which they think should be prohibited, and it permits that which they think should be permitted.
Hugo Black (1886-1971) American politician and jurist, US Supreme Court Justice (1937-71)
Interview with Eric Serverid and Martin Agronsky, CBS News (1968-12-09)
On the public's misunderstanding of the Constitution. Reprinted in "Newsmakers, Objection Overruled," Newsweek (1968-12-09), and in "Justice Black and the Bill of Rights," Southwestern University Law Review (1977).
Black used the same idea on multiple occasions, e.g., at a news conference in Washington, D.C. (1971-02-25):The layman's Constitutional view is that what he likes is constitutional and that which he doesn't like is unconstitutional. That about measures up the Constitutional acumen of the average person.
When you say that you agree to a thing in principle you mean that you have not the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice.
Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) Prussian statesman
(Attributed)Variants:
- "When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of putting it into practice."
- "When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice."
The Framers knew, better perhaps than we do today, the risks they were taking. They knew that free speech might be the friend of change and revolution. But they also knew that it is always the deadliest enemy of tyranny. With this knowledge they still believed that the ultimate happiness and security of a nation lies in its ability to explore, to change, to grow and ceaselessly to adapt itself to new knowledge born of inquiry free from any kind of governmental control over the mind and spirit of man. Loyalty comes from love of good government, not fear of a bad one.
Hugo Black (1886-1971) American politician and jurist, US Supreme Court Justice (1937-71)
James Madison Lecture, NYU School of Law (1960-02-17)
(Source)
The inaugural Madison lecture. Reprinted as "The Bill of Rights," NYU Law Review, Vol. 35 (Apr 1960).
My view is, without deviation, without exception, without any ifs, buts or whereases, that freedom of speech means that you shall not do something to people either for the views they have or the views they express or the words they speak or write.
Hugo Black (1886-1971) American politician and jurist, US Supreme Court Justice (1937-71)
Interview by Edmond Cahn, New York University Law School (1962)
Published in "Mr. Justice Black and First Amendment Absolutes: A Public Interview," New York University Law Review 37 (1962): 549, and referenced in "Minority Opinion," Time (1962-06-22).
Black reiterated his absolutist point in his third Carpentier Lecture at Columbia University (1968-03-21), collected in A Constitutional Faith (1968):My view is, without deviation, without exception, without any ifs, buts or whereases, that freedom of speech means that government shall not do anything to people, or, in the words of the Magna Carta, move against people, either for the views they have or the views they express or the words they speak or write.
Freedom to discuss public affairs and public officials is unquestionably, as the Court today holds, the kind of speech the First Amendment was primarily designed to keep within the area of free discussion. To punish the exercise of this right to discuss public affairs or to penalize it through libel judgments is to abridge or shut off discussion of the very kind most needed. This Nation, I suspect, can live in peace without libel suits based on public discussions of public affairs and public officials. But I doubt that a country can live in freedom where its people can be made to suffer physically or financially for criticizing their government, its actions, or its officials.
Hugo Black (1886-1971) American politician and jurist, US Supreme Court Justice (1937-71)
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254, 296-297 (1964) [concurring]
(Source)
It is easier to forgive an Enemy than to forgive a Friend!
William Blake (1757-1827) English poet, mystic, artist
Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion (c. 1803–20)
(Source)
He’s a Blockhead who wants a proof of what he Can’t Perceive
And he’s a Fool who tries to make such a Blockhead believe.William Blake (1757-1827) English poet, mystic, artist
Notebooks (1793)
What is now proved was once only imagined.
William Blake (1757-1827) English poet, mystic, artist
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, “Proverbs of Hell” (1790–93)
(Source)
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow.William Blake (1757-1827) English poet, mystic, artist
Songs of Experience, “A Poison Tree”, st. 1 (1794)
A truth that’s told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent.William Blake (1757-1827) English poet, mystic, artist
“Auguries of Innocence,” l.53 (1803)
(Source)
The strongest poison ever known
Came from Caesar’s laurel crown.William Blake (1757-1827) English poet, mystic, artist
“Auguries of Innocence,” l. 97 (1803)
(Source)
You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough.
William Blake (1757-1827) English poet, mystic, artist
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, “Proverbs of Hell”, l. 46 (1790-93)
(Source)
The pride of the peacock is the glory of God.
The lust of the goat is the bounty of God.
The wrath of the lion is the wisdom of God.
The nakedness of a woman is the work of God.William Blake (1757-1827) English poet, mystic, artist
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790-93)
There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.
Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789-1849) English socialite, writer
(Attributed)
The chief prerequisite for a escort is to have a flexible conscience and an inflexible politeness.
Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789-1849) English socialite, writer
(Attributed)
When there is too much naívetë around, the universe has no choice but to crystallize out some betrayal.
Robert Bly (b. 1926) American poet, story teller, lecturer
Iron John: A Book About Men, ch. 3 “The Road of Ashes, Descent and Grief” (1990)
(Source)
Peace is not the absence of struggle, it is the absence of uncertainty.
Anthony Bloom (1914-2003) English writer, Orthodox cleric [a.k.a. Anthony of Sourozh]
(Attributed)
Genius is the gold in the mine, talent is the miner who works and brings it out.
Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789-1849) English socialite, writer
(Attributed)
I think “immoral” is probably the wrong word to use. I prefer the word “unethical.”
Ivan Boesky (b. 1937) American investment banker, inside trader
(Attributed)
In John B. Stewart, Den of Thieves (1991).
Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.
Niels Bohr (1885-1962) Danish physicist
(Attributed)
Also attrib. to Yogi Berra, various humorists, Danish poet Piet Hein ("det er svært at spå - især om fremtiden"), Robert Storm Petersen ("Storm P"), and Markus M. Ronner.
Genius is the capacity to make all possible mistakes in the least amount of time.
Niels Bohr (1885-1962) Danish physicist
(Attributed)
Of course I don’t believe in it. But I understand that it brings you luck whether you believe in it or not.
Niels Bohr (1885-1962) Danish physicist
(Attributed)
When asked why he had a horseshoe on his wall.Variants:
- "Of course I don't believe in such nonsense. However, I've been told that a horseshoe brings you good luck whether you believe in it or not."
- "I believe in no such thing, my good friend. Not at all. I am scarcely likely to believe in such foolish nonsense. However, I am told that a horseshoe will bring you good luck whether you believe in it or not."
Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think.
Niels Bohr (1885-1962) Danish physicist
(Attributed)
If imagination is not set to the task of building a creative life, it busies itself with weaving a web of inner fears and doubts, blame and excuse.
Laurence G. Boldt (b. 1954) American writer, philospher
(Attributed)
MORE: Why not be a teacher? You’d be a fine teacher. Perhaps even a great one.
RICH: And if I was who would know it?
MORE: You, your pupils, your friends, God. Not a bad public, that.
Robert Bolt (1924-1995) English dramatist
A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 1 (1960)
(Source)
More trying to convince Rich not to seek a public or political office (because of the corrupting influences he would face).
Rendered almost identically into the 1966 film adaptation.MORE: Why not be a teacher? You’d be a fine teacher, perhaps a great one.
RICH: And if I was who would know it?
MORE: You. Your pupils. Your friends. God. Not a bad public, that.
MORE: When a man takes an oath, Meg, he’s holding his own self in his hands. Like water (cups hands) and if he opens his fingers then, he needn’t hope to find himself again.
Robert Bolt (1924-1995) English dramatist
A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 2 (1960)
(Source)
Answering to his daughter Margaret, who is trying to convince him to swear to the Act of Succession so that he can be freed from the Tower. In the 1966 screenplay, the same dialogue is used.
MORE: If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us good, and greed would make us saintly. And we’d live like animals or angels in the happy land that needs no heroes. But since in fact we see that avarice, anger, envy, pride, sloth, lust and stupidity commonly profit far beyond humility, chastity, fortitude, justice and thought, and have to choose, to be human at all … why then perhaps we must stand fast a little — even at the risk of being heroes.
Robert Bolt (1924-1995) English dramatist
A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 1 (1960)
(Source)
Spoken to his family while in the Tower of London, awaiting trial. In the 1966 film adaptation, this is shortened:If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us saintly. But since we see that avarice, anger, pride and stupidity commonly profit far beyond charity, modesty, justice and thought, perhaps we must stand fast a little -- even at the risk of being heroes.
ROPER: So, now you’d give the Devil the benefit of law!
MORE: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
ROPER: Yes, I’d cut down every law in England to do that!
MORE: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ’round on you — where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast — Man’s laws, not God’s — and if you cut them down — and you’re just the man to do it — d’you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake.
Robert Bolt (1924-1995) English dramatist
A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 1 (1960)
(Source)
Bolt's 1966 film adaptation uses the same language, with slightly variant punctuation. As well, the film ends the scene here, where the play continues with further dialog. (Source (Video); dialog verified.)
When your mother asks, “Do you want a piece of advice?” it’s a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
MORE: I must in fairness add that my taste in music is reputedly deplorable.
HENRY: Your taste in music is excellent. It exactly coincides with my own.
Robert Bolt (1924-1995) English dramatist
A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 1 (1960)
(Source)
Bolt's 1966 film adaptation uses the same language.
Everyone is guilty at one time or another of throwing out questions that beg to be ignored, but mothers seem to have a market on the supply. “Do you want a spanking or do you want to go to bed?” Don’t you want to save some of the pizza for your brother?” Wasn’t there any change?”
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
Have you any idea how many children it takes to turn off one light in the kitchen? Three. It takes one to say, “What light?” and two more to say, “I didn’t turn it on.”
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
I remember buying a set of black plastic dishes once, after I saw an ad on television where they actually put a blowtorch to them and they emerged unscathed. Exactly one week after I bought them, one of the kids brought a dinner plate to me with a large crack in it. When I asked what happened to it, he said it hit a tree. I don’t want to talk about it.
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
People shop for a bathing suit with more care than they do a husband or wife. The rules are the same. Look for something you’ll feel comfortable wearing. Allow for room to grow.
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with ONLY a loaf of bread are three billion to one.
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
Marriage has no guarantees. If that’s what you’re looking for, go live with a Sears battery.
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, “I used everything you gave me.”
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
No one ever died from sleeping in an unmade bed. I have known mothers who remake the bed after their children do it because there’s a wrinkle in the spread or the blanket is on crooked. This is sick.
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
I just clipped 2 articles from a current magazine. One is a diet guaranteed to drop 5 pounds off my body in a weekend. The other is a recipe for a 6 minute pecan pie.
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch on fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one cares. Why should you?
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) American humorist
(Attributed)
Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.
Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) Dutch evangelist, concentration camp survivor
Clippings From My Notebook (1982)
It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis.
Margaret Wander Bonanno (1950-2021) American writer
(Attributed)
When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.
Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) Dutch evangelist, concentration camp survivor
(Attributed)
Faith is like radar that sees through the fog — the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see.
Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) Dutch evangelist, concentration camp survivor
Tramp for the Lord (1974)
I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks.
Daniel Boone (c.1734-1820) American pioneer
(Attributed)
Variants:
- "I can't say as ever I was lost, but I was bewildered once for three days." (J. Faragher, Daniel Boone: The Life and Legend of an American Pioneer (1993))
- "I was never lost, but I was bewildered once for three days." (Missouri: A Guide to the "Show Me" State (The WPA Guide to Missouri) (1941)
Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.
Louis E. Boone (1941-2005) American business writer
(Attributed)
Who is blinder than he that will not see?
Andrew Boorde (c.1490-1549) English physician and writer
Breviary of Helthe (1547)
ARTHUR: Merlin, where are you going?
MERLIN: Where do you think? You have a kingdom to rule.
ARTHUR: But how? I don’t know how.
MERLIN: You knew how to draw the sword from the stone.
ARTHUR: That was easy.
MERLIN: Was it? I couldn’t have done it.John Boorman (b. 1933) English film director, writer
Excalibur (1981) [with Rospo Pallenburg]
MERLIN: When a man lies, he murders some part of the world.
John Boorman (b. 1933) English film director, writer
Excalibur (1981) [with Rospo Pallenburg]
Celebrity-worship and hero-worship should not be confused. Yet we confuse them every day, and by doing so we come dangerously close to depriving ourselves of all real models. We lose sight of the men and women who do not simply seem great because they are famous but are famous because they are great. We come closer and closer to degrading all fame into notoriety.
Daniel J. Boorstin (1914-2004) American historian, professor, attorney, writer
The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America, ch. 2, “From Hero to Celebrity: The Human Pseudo-event” (1961)
The hero is known for achievements; the celebrity for well-knownness. The hero reveals the possibilities of human nature. The celebrity reveals the possibilities of the press and media. Celebrities are people who make news, but heroes are people who make history. Time makes heroes but dissolves celebrities.
Daniel J. Boorstin (1914-2004) American historian, professor, attorney, writer
Parade Magazine, “Who Are Our Heroes?” (by Ponchitta Pierce) (6 Aug. 1995)
I write to discover what I think. After all, the bars aren’t open that early.
Daniel J. Boorstin (1914-2004) American historian, professor, attorney, writer
In Wall Street Journal (31 Dec 1985)
On why he usually wrote from 6:30 to 8:30 AM.
We easily forget that smog is the price of freedom of our streets from manure, and from the flies and diseases it brought.
Daniel J. Boorstin (1914-2004) American historian, professor, attorney, writer
(Attributed)
The celebrity is a person who is known for his well-knownness.
Daniel J. Boorstin (1914-2004) American historian, professor, attorney, writer
The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America, ch. 2 “From Hero to Celebrity: The Human Pseudo-event” (1961)
Truth is like a well-known whore. Everyone knows her, but it is embarrassing to encounter her on the street.
Wolfgang Borchert (1921-1947) German writer
(Attributed)
The most likely way for the world to be destroyed, most experts agree, is by accident. That’s where we come in; we’re computer professionals. We cause accidents.
Nathaniel Borenstein (b. 1957) American research scientist, programmer, writer
Programming As If People Mattered (1991)
Originally a classroom comment, c. 1985, while teaching at Carnegie-Mellon University.
“Boren’s Guidelines” for bureacrats: (1) When in charge, ponder. (2) When in trouble, delegate. (3) When in doubt, mumble.
James H. Boren (1925-2010) American bureaucrat, humorist, speaker
“Bureaucrats Give Agnew the Bird (It’s an Award),” New York Times (8 Nov. 1970)
While money cannot buy happiness, the advantages of poverty have been greatly exaggerated.
Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) Argentine writer
(Attributed)
Any life, however long and complicated it may be, actually consists of a single moment — the moment when a man knows forever more who he is.
Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) Argentine writer
“A Biography of Tadeo Isidoro Cruz”, The Aleph (1949) [tr. Hurley (1998)]
Alt. trans.: "Any life, no matter how long and complex it may be, is made up of a single moment -- the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is."
To fall in love is to create a religion that has a fallible god.
Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) Argentine writer
“The Meeting in a Dream”, Other Inquisitions [Otras Inquisiciones] (1952) [tr. Simms (1964)]
I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.
Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) Argentine writer
“Poema de los Dones”, Dreamtigers [El Hacedor] (1960)
Only the suppressed word is dangerous.
Ludwig Börne (1786-1837) German-Jewish political writer and satirist. [b. Loeb Baruch]
(Attributed)
The belief that there is only one truth and that oneself is in possession of it, seems to me the deepest root of all evil that is in the world.
Max Born (1882-1970) German physicist
Natural Philosophy of Cause and Chance (1964)
Also in My Life and Views (1968), p. 183
Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart.
Thomas Boston (1676-1732) Scottish clergyman
Human Nature in Its Fourfold State (1721)
The greatest weakness of all is the great fear of appearing weak.
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (1627-1704) French bishop, theologian
Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture [Politique tirée de l’Écriture sainte] (1709)
(Source)
Alt. trans.: "The greatest weakness of all weaknesses is to fear too much to appear weak."
Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them.
Dion Boucicault (1822-1890) Anglo-Irish dramatist, actor [Dionysius Lardner Boursiquot]
London Assurance, II.1 (1841)
We must live as we think, otherwise we shall end up by thinking as we live.
[Cet enseignement, c’est qu’il faut vivre comme on pense, sinon, tôt ou tard, on finit par penser comme on a vécu.]
Paul Bourget (1852-1935) French critic, poet, novelist
The Demon of Noonday [Le Démon de Midi], Epilogue (1914)
Alt. trans.: "This teaching is to live as we think, otherwise, sooner or later, we end up thinking as we lived."
The Night has a thousand eyes,
And the Day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies
With the dying sun.
The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life dies
When love is done.Francis William Bourdillon (1852-1921) English poet
“Light,” The Spectator (Oct 1873)
Discretion is the salt, and fancy the sugar of life; the one preserves, the other sweetens it.
Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1, “Discretion” (1862)
(Source)
No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities.
Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1 (1862)
It is some compensation for great evils that they enforce great lessons.
Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1, “Compensation” (1862)
(Source)
Experience isn’t interesting till it begins to repeat itself — in fact, till it does that, it hardly is experience.
Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973) Irish author
The Death of the Heart (1938)
Nobody speaks the truth when there is something they must have.
Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973) Irish author
The House in Paris (1935)
Some people are molded by their admirations, others by their hostilities.
Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973) Irish author
The Death of the Heart (1938)
Jealousy is no more than feeling alone against smiling enemies.
Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973) Irish author
The House in Paris (1935)
History is the torch that is meant to illuminate the past to guard us against the repetition of our mistakes of other days. We cannot join in the rewriting of history to make it to conform to our comfort and convenience.
Claude G. Bowers (1878-1958) American journalist, historian, diplomat
My Mission to Spain (1954)
Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful.
George E. P. Box (1919-2013) Anglo-American statistician, quality scientist [George Edward Pelham Box]
Empirical Model Building and Response Surfaces (1987) [with N. R. Draper]
As written on p. 424; earlier in the book (p. 74), it is given as: "Remember that all models are wrong; the practical question is how wrong do they have to be to not be useful."
HAN: You said you wanted to be around when I made a mistake, well, this could be it, sweetheart.
LEIA: I take it back.Leigh Brackett (1915-1978) American writer
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) [with Lawrence Kasdan]
LEIA: Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder!
HAN: Who’s scruffy-looking?Leigh Brackett (1915-1978) American writer
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) [with Lawrence Kasdan]
My stories run up and bite me in the leg — I respond by writing down everything that goes on during the bite. When I finish, the idea lets go and runs off.
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) American writer, futurist, fabulist
The Stories of Ray Bradbury, Introduction, “Drunk and in Charge of a Bicycle” (1980)
If we listened to our intellect we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go in business because we’d be cynical: “It’s gonna go wrong.” Or “She’s going to hurt me.” Or, “I’ve had a couple of bad love affairs, so therefore …” Well, that’s nonsense. You’re going to miss life. You’ve got to jump off the cliff all the time and build your wings on the way down.
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) American writer, futurist, fabulist
Speech, Brown University (23 Mar 1995)
In Brown Daily Herald (24 Mar 1995)
Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.
Omar Bradley (1893-1981) American general
(Attributed)
This is as true in everyday life as it is in battle: we are given one life and the decision is ours whether to wait for circumstances to make up our mind, or whether to act, and in acting, to live.
Omar Bradley (1893-1981) American general
(Attributed)
Tolerance is important. You never know when you’re the one being tolerated.
Pat Brady (b. 1947) American cartoonist
Rose is Rose (30 Aug. 2001)
Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that in the administration of criminal law the end justifies the means — to declare that the government may commit crimes in order to secure the conviction of a private criminal — would bring terrible retribution.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
Olmstead v. United States, 277 US 438 (1928) [Dissent]
(Source)
In differentiation, not in uniformity, lies the path of progress.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
Business — A Profession (1914)
Full and free expression of the right by the citizen is ordinarily also his duty; for its exercise is more important to the Nation than it is to himself. Like the course of the heavenly bodies, harmony in national life is a resultant of the struggle between contending forces. In the frank expression of conflicting opinions lies the greatest promise of wisdom in governmental action.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
Gilbert v. Minnesota, 254 US 325 (1920) [Dissent]
Organization can never be a substitute for initiative and for judgment.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
Business — A Profession (1914)
Fear of serious injury alone cannot justify oppression of free speech and assembly. Men feared witches and burnt women. It is the function of speech to free men from the bondage of irrational fears.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
Whitney v. California, 274 U.S. 357 (1927) [Concur]
What I have desired to do is to make the people of Boston realize that the most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen. The duties of the office of private citizen cannot under a republican form of government be neglected without serious injury to the public.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
Statement to a reporter, Boston Record (14 Apr 1903)
Quoted in Alpheus Thomas Mason, Brandeis: A Free Man's Life (1946).Commonly paraphrased:
- "The most important office is that of the private citizen"
- "The most important political office is that of the private citizen"
Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government’s purposes are beneficial. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greater dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
Olmstead v. United States, 277 US 438 (1928) [Dissent]
(Source)
If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
In Cleveland Plain Dealer (15 Oct 1912)
Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.
Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) American lawyer, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1916-39)
(Attributed)
Documentation is like sex: when it is good, it is very, very good; and when it is bad, it is better than nothing.
Dick Brandon (contemp.) American computer scientist and writer
(Attributed)
Always behave like a duck — keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath.
Jacob M. Braude (1896-1970) American humorist, writer, jurist
(Attributed)
(also attrib. James Bryant Conant and Lord Barbizon)
There are no simple answers because there are no simple questions. If you think you’re seeing a simple question, it’s not the question that’s simple.
Robert "Bobbo" Bredt (contemp.) American physician
Conversation (c. 1982)
Most people would rather defend to the death your right to say it, than listen to it.
Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be. Because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget to pose, and then who are you?
Fanny Brice (1891-1951) American singer, comedian
(Attributed)
Quoted in Norman Katkov, The Fabulous Fanny, ch. 24 (1952)
This dream is for you, so pay the price.
Make one dream come true, you only live twice.Leslie Bricusse (b. 1931) English songwriter
“You Only Live Twice” (1967)
All I ask is a chance to prove that money can’t make me happy.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #0398
Inform all the troops that communications have completely broken down.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots
It’s not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots
Try to relax and enjoy the crisis.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots
What’s the good of being forgiven, if I have to promise not to do it again?
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #1175
My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots
I don’t understand you. You don’t understand me. What else do we have in common?
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots
If you can’t learn to do it well, learn to enjoy doing it badly.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #0702
By doing just a little every day, I can gradually let the task completely overwhelm me.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #1149
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first, and call whatever you hit the target.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #0572
All I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #2503
I have abandoned my search for truth, and am now looking for a good fantasy.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #0826
People who don’t believe in progress must have forgotten how bad things used to be.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #7841
Incredible as it seems, my life is based on a true story.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #0800
My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #1085
I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots
The time for action is past! Now is the time for senseless bickering!
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #1019
I could do great things, if I weren’t so busy doing little things.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #0828
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #1520
Please don’t lie to me, unless you’re absolutely sure I’ll never find out the truth.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots
Life is the only game in which the object of the game is to learn the rules.
Ashleigh Brilliant (b. 1933) Anglo-American epigramist, aphorist, cartoonist
Pot-Shots, #1409