A thought on what fiction gives us
“Fortunately, there is more to life than death. There is for one thing, fiction. A thousand thousand characters to be sent marching out into the world to divert time from its forward gallop to the… Read More
Tag: Quotations
A thought on what a decent nation can aspire to
“No nation can be really great unless it is great in peace, in industry, integrity, honesty. Skilled intelligence in civic affairs and industrial enterprises alike; the special ability of the artist, the man of letters,… Read More
A thought on being a touch closer to the stars
“When you’re on Earth, if you go to the top of a mountain, the stars look much brighter than they do at sea level. And because the space shuttle is above Earth’s atmosphere, it’s like… Read More
A thought on how success doesn’t last forever
“Nothing recedes like success.” — Walter Winchell For decades an observer (and sometimes an instigator) of the news, the columnist and broadcaster Walter Winchell certainly witnessed and documented the rise and fall of many a… Read More
A thought on one way people are different
“There are two kinds of people in the world — bath people and shower people.”— Yoko Ono Artist Yoko Ono made this quip during an interview in 2002, as collected here by the BBC. I… Read More
The most meta thing Yogi Berra (n)ever said
“I really didn’t say everything I said.”– Yogi Berra Yogi Berra was an acclaimed catcher for the New York Yankees (a 10-time World Series champ), but he is perhaps better known for what have long… Read More
A thought on reading, and what it can do to you
“Briefing is not reading. In fact it is the antithesis of reading. Briefing is terse, factual and to the point. Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting. Briefing closes down a subject, reading opens it… Read More
A thought on the enchanting, liberating freedom to fail
“I did scary things like that when I was a young woman. I had all of my 20s to fail. I wanted to be a stand-up and then I wanted to be Lily Tomlin. I… Read More
A thought on the Winter Olympics, and cheering for the home team
“I have never met a group of people who so routinely make so many personal sacrifices for their job. And they start so young. At a time when people are navigating Grade 8, they basically… Read More
A thought on trying to bury something down deep
“What you try to bury just ends up burying you.”— Jane Wagner You may not recognize Jane Wagner’s name or face, but I bet you know Lily Tomlin, her comedic and life partner for decades…. Read More
A thought on waiting (maybe in vain) for lightning to strike
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”— Jack London The stroke of genius, the bolt of blue, the eureka moment: so much of our culture has various threads… Read More
A thought on finding the truth
“People assume actors are born liars but I’d argue the actor’s job is to tell the truth. And I’ve realized I’m not a good liar.”— Cate Blanchett Cate Blanchett — who gave this answer to… Read More
A thought on why you should always but always have a notebook
“Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea forever.”— Will Self A quote like this… Read More
A thought on how it takes all kinds
“There has been, is, and always will be every conceivable type of person.”— E.M. Forster The British novelist’s astute observation was published decades after he wrote it, in the posthumous novel Maurice, arguably his most… Read More
A thought on the benefits of laughing more as you age
“I read some excellent scientific research that said that as men and women get older, we get happier. I’ve noticed that in myself: sometimes I’ll be reading something, and I’ll be smiling like an idiot…. Read More