Proper names are poetry in the raw. Like all poetry they are untranslatable.

Proper names are poetry in the raw. Like all poetry they are untranslatable.

Known by the sobriquet of "The Artful Dodger."

Known by the sobriquet of "The Artful Dodger."

If the fairest features of the landscape are to be named after men, let them be the noblest and worthiest read more

If the fairest features of the landscape are to be named after men, let them be the noblest and worthiest men alone.

Old age is . . . a lot of crossed off names in an address book.

Old age is . . . a lot of crossed off names in an address book.

I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business read more

I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, "Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here."

I cannot say the crow is white,
But needs must call a spade a spade.

I cannot say the crow is white,
But needs must call a spade a spade.

"Brooks of Sheffield": "'Somebody's sharp.' 'Who is?'" asked the
gentleman, laughing. I looked up quickly, being curious to know. read more

"Brooks of Sheffield": "'Somebody's sharp.' 'Who is?'" asked the
gentleman, laughing. I looked up quickly, being curious to know.
"Only Brooks of Sheffield," said Mr. Murdstone. I was glad to
find it was only Brooks of Sheffield; for at first I really
thought that it was I.

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability read more

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him.

The Eskimos had 52 names for snow because it was important to them; there ought to be as many for read more

The Eskimos had 52 names for snow because it was important to them; there ought to be as many for love.