The only authors whom I acknowledge as American are the journalists. They indeed are not great writers, but they speak the language of their countrymen, and make themselves heard by them.
—Alexis de Tocqueville, 1840
Archive
Quotes
Revolutions are not about trifles, but they are produced by trifles.
—Aristotle, c. 350 BCIt is strange indeed that the more we learn about how to build health, the less healthy Americans become.
—Adelle Davis, 1951Writing cannot express words fully; words cannot express thoughts fully.
—The Book of Changes, c. 350 BCCurses are like young chickens, they always come home to roost.
—Robert Southey, 1809The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.
—John Locke, 1695Reputation, like beavers and cloaks, shall last some people twice the time of others.
—Douglas Jerrold, 1840Let him who desires peace prepare for war.
—Vegetius, c. 385It is impossible to live pleasurably without living wisely, well, and justly, and impossible to live wisely, well, and justly without living pleasurably.
—Epicurus, c. 300 BCEvery saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.
—Oscar Wilde, 1893Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It’s the glory of the sea that has turned my head.
—Robert Louis Stevenson, 1883Whenever in history equality appeared on the agenda, it was exported somewhere else, like an undesirable.
—Mary McCarthy, 1971Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.
—William Shakespeare, 1603