Bartlett’s
Familiar Quotations
Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
There
are two of the more famous collections of important quotations. But there is plenty of quoting going on these
days, especially online and in the media.
A new book explores our penchant for quoting others, And I Quote…A History
of Using Other People’s Words, by Elizabeth Knowles.
We
know a lot of quoting takes place. We
hear it in school and at seminars. We
see it in books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. We hear it in speeches and sermons. We see them on walls and on buildings. Everywhere you go, someone is quoted. But many are misquotes, misattributed
quotes, or the quotes are used out of context.
How do we make sure we keep quoting alive- and do it correctly?
When
you think of quotes, they come in a few varieties. They are things said by famous people, where
the power of who said something overwhelms what was actually said. Then there are great quotes because they say
so much with so few words. Who said them
is secondary. There are also quotes that seem relevant and are said by popular
people but time passes and these quotes lack sustainability. Just what is the exact formula for a
long-lasting quote?
Some
of the places we tend to see quotes these days is on accessories or household
items from bags and mugs, to T-shirts and hats.
Quotes shed light on the social norms and cultural history from which
they spring from. Politics,
relationships, health, nature, money, war, and attitude are probably the most
often quoted topics. Faith, too.
The
funny thing about quotes is some can be ambiguous or the reader interprets the
exact opposite intention of the quote's originator.
“Sometimes a quotation is chosen because the circumstances in which it was originated appear to be strikingly echoed by the events of another time.” says Knowles.
“Sometimes a quotation is chosen because the circumstances in which it was originated appear to be strikingly echoed by the events of another time.” says Knowles.
Some
quotes seem to live forever while others need more context to be seen as
applicable or relevant.
Some
quotes come from literature, television, and other fantasy worlds, but they
take form in real life.
I do
find it interesting that we like to quote others, as if pointing to the words
of others will help our very own resonate and gain currency with the
reader. It’s as if by association we hope
to link our work to those far more known, respected, and liked than ourselves.
Many
quotes say the same thing, essentially, just in their own way. But over time, everyone says something
similar about universal things, such as life, death, power, love, or intellect. Pick a quote, any quote and likely its
sentiments are reflected in dozens or hundreds of other quotes by well-known or
established individuals. You can quote
me on that.
I
like to read books of quotes, rather than to come upon a random quote here and
there. I like to assault my senses with
timeless observations of life that delve deeply into philosophy and
morality. But after digesting a book of
quotes my mind feels frazzled, overwhelmed with so much truth right before my
eyes.
“Famous
quotations often imprint themselves on the public consciousness,” says Knowles. It’s true.
Some quotes perfectly capture a mood, a thought, a belief, an
experience, a feeling. Sure, many quotes
reveal humor, expose weaknesses or contradictions, or celebrate a singular moment,
but so many can be spoken now as they were 300 years ago and still mean
something to us.
Most writers want to be published, become famous, and have a legacy beyond their lifetime. But they are lucky if one quote of their millions of written words make it into the public consciousness a generation after their passing.
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Brian
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email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when
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©2019. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His
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This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the
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resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo
America.
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