WIST Quotations

Carlyle, Thomas -- The French Revolution: A History, Part 1, Book 2, ch. 4 (1.2.4) (1837)

Dave — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 20:14:16 +0000

France was long a “Despotism tempered by Epigrams.”

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) Scottish essayist and historian
The French Revolution: A History, Part 1, Book 2, ch. 4 (1.2.4) (1837)
(Source)

Though given in quotation marks, Carlyle is apparently "quoting" himself.

This quotation is commonly given on its own, though, since Carlyle's thesis at this point in his history is that the royal government had largely become irrelevant in the nation, he continues:

... and now, it would seem, the Epigrams have got the upper hand.
[Source]

Einstein, Albert -- Speech, French Philosophical Society, Paris (6 Apr 1922)

Dave — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 17:16:44 +0000

If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
Speech, French Philosophical Society, Paris (6 Apr 1922)

Vidal, Gore -- “Lincoln and the Priests of Academe”, United States (1993)

Dave — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:14:22 +0000

In fact, the French — who read and theorize the most — became so addicted to political experiment that in the two centuries since our own rather drab revolution they have exuberantly produced one Directory, one Consulate, two empires, three restorations of the monarchy, and five republics. That’s what happens when you take writing too seriously.

Gore Vidal (1925-2012) American novelist, dramatist, critic
“Lincoln and the Priests of Academe”, United States (1993)