“A short saying often contains much wisdom.” Sophocles
Here it is. All the really important stuff you should know succinctly delivered in pithy quotes, quips, observations and gems of wisdom from history’s wisest men and women. As Benjamin Disraeli said:
“The wisdom of the wise and the experience of ages may be preserved by quotation.”
This is a book intended to inform, inspire, motivate and delight you. Inside these pages you will discover the sagest of advice, the wittiest observations, the most brilliant critiques and retorts and surprising comments from the unlikeliest of sources around the globe; from people you know well and from people you will want to know more about. You’ll find the most surprising and insightful wisdom from some of the most accomplished, intelligent and insightful people in history.
Savor each quote, each gem of wisdom, turn it over a few times and repeat it to yourself to relish all of its profundity. Make it yours to drop into any conversation, correspondence or calamity to put things in perspective or when the brevity of wit will say more than a thousand words.
N.B. This would be a good time for a truth-in-advertising statement. The great preponderance of quotes in this book are 25 words or less, but there are a few which break that rule because, to be honest, I came up with the title before I began the process of filling the pages with quotes and there are some quotes that I felt could neither be omitted nor abbreviated. e.g.:
“Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.” Niccolo Machiavelli
The following quote wouldn’t seem surprising…
"What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders. They disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets inflamed with wild notions. What is to become of them?”
…if we did not learn that it was said by Plato (427-347 B.C.) more than 2000 years ago!
Here it is. All the really important stuff you should know succinctly delivered in pithy quotes, quips, observations and gems of wisdom from history’s wisest men and women. As Benjamin Disraeli said:
“The wisdom of the wise and the experience of ages may be preserved by quotation.”
This is a book intended to inform, inspire, motivate and delight you. Inside these pages you will discover the sagest of advice, the wittiest observations, the most brilliant critiques and retorts and surprising comments from the unlikeliest of sources around the globe; from people you know well and from people you will want to know more about. You’ll find the most surprising and insightful wisdom from some of the most accomplished, intelligent and insightful people in history.
Savor each quote, each gem of wisdom, turn it over a few times and repeat it to yourself to relish all of its profundity. Make it yours to drop into any conversation, correspondence or calamity to put things in perspective or when the brevity of wit will say more than a thousand words.
N.B. This would be a good time for a truth-in-advertising statement. The great preponderance of quotes in this book are 25 words or less, but there are a few which break that rule because, to be honest, I came up with the title before I began the process of filling the pages with quotes and there are some quotes that I felt could neither be omitted nor abbreviated. e.g.:
“Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.” Niccolo Machiavelli
The following quote wouldn’t seem surprising…
"What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders. They disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets inflamed with wild notions. What is to become of them?”
…if we did not learn that it was said by Plato (427-347 B.C.) more than 2000 years ago!
