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Quotation... A writer expresses himself in words that have been used before because they give his meaning better than he read more
Quotation... A writer expresses himself in words that have been used before because they give his meaning better than he can give it himself, or because they are beautiful or witty, or because he expects them to touch a cord of association in his reader, or because he wishes to show that he is learned and well read. Quotations due to the last motive are invariably ill-advised; the discerning reader detects it and is contemptuous; the undiscerning is perhaps impressed, but even then is at the same time repelled, pretentious quotations being the surest road to tedium.
The reason that there are so few good books written is that so few people who write know anything.
The reason that there are so few good books written is that so few people who write know anything.
No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.
No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.
No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought read more
No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous.
A quotation, like a pun, should come unsought, and then be welcomed only for some propriety of felicity justifying the read more
A quotation, like a pun, should come unsought, and then be welcomed only for some propriety of felicity justifying the intrusion.
I must claim the quoter's privilege of giving only as much of the text as will suit my purpose, said read more
I must claim the quoter's privilege of giving only as much of the text as will suit my purpose, said Tan-Chun. If I told you how it went on, I should end up by contradicting myself!
Remember if people talk behind your back, it only means you're two steps ahead!.
Remember if people talk behind your back, it only means you're two steps ahead!.
Writers like teeth are divided into incisors and grinders.
Writers like teeth are divided into incisors and grinders.
Essential characteristic of the really great novelist: a Christ-like, all-embracing compassion.
Essential characteristic of the really great novelist: a Christ-like, all-embracing compassion.
