Quotations Books

This collection of quotes about a huge variety of subjects includes such provacative, insightful, and delicious musings that to re-read it every couple months is an explosive experience.

I happily recomend it to anyone. If you've ever taken a Landmark Forum you'll find much of the same worldview tucked into compact thoughts a 1,000 years old.

I found this book to be very entertaining, as well as an enlightened take on Thomas E. Kelly's "new brand" of existentialism. It made the philosophy interesting and accessible. I highly recommend it.

This compendium of quotes from Oscar Wilde is arranged by subject matter alphabetically and provides a great deal of entertainment for $7 bucks. Not to mention it is the ultimate source for witty quotations to make you the life of the party. Seriously, a great book to page through at random for some laughs and thought provoking witticisms from the most quotable modern author.

Oscar Wilde once said "Drama is the meeting place of art and life." In this essential, compact volume Ralph Keyes leaves a trail to that corner by gathering the flamboyant author's thorniest, at times most insightful quotes and anecdotes. Keyes uses Wilde's plays, reviews, letters, interrogations, even conversational repartee (given its own section) which remained Wilde's signature to his time.

Keyes divides Wilde's epigrams and puns into brief, easily readable sections. Wilde twists traditional views on permanent truths and those of his day: altruism ("Charity creates a multitude of sins.") history ("History is merely gossip.") theology, poverty, dissent ("Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.")

Above all, Wilde (through Keyes' selections) quips and dissects each of the fine arts (music, prose, painting) and roles for creator, viewer, interpreter. He addresses the writer ("Even prophets correct their proofs.") critic ("Criticism is the highest form of autobiography"), and artist ("Like the Greek gods, artists are known only to each other.")

Amid his fast-paced one liners on male-female relations you sense how Wilde viewed marriage over and above his well-known bromide, "Divorces are made in heaven." The book ends with Wilde explaining and defending the homosexual relationship he called "the love that dare not speak its name". Whether or not you accept Wilde's lifestyle preferences, his eloquent, sad defense of a letter he wrote a younger man is moving as he describes the unique merge of intellect and youthful energy which to him formed "the noblest sort of affection." It is as close to heartfelt as anyone could get who once said, "A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal."

Oscar Wilde was parodied, villified, and eventually imprisoned for his beliefs and flamboyance. But he eventually influenced artists from George Bernard Shaw to John Lennon, staking a claim as the earliest example of a postmodern artist. This book helps introduce Wilde's full books and plays (Keyes references them consistently and provides a full bibliography), or helps you reference witty, intellectual (or psuedo-intellectual, as Wilde might have preferred) quotes for any occassion. (As to plagarizing, Wilde himself called it, "the privilege of the appreciative man.") His full literary courses are nutritious and filling enough, but "The Wit and Wisdom of Oscar Wilde" is as savory when reading or writing as salt is when dining.

This book gets right to the heart of Ozzie. Ballantini has done his reasearch and doesn't pull any punches about the Sox' chatty manager. A "ballsy" little book.

When I bought this book I thought it would be a quick read and I'd learn a few things I didn't already know about this uninhibited Manager of the Year and be amused in the process. This is 126 pages of profound, quirky quotes and entertaining, informative text. The Wit and Wisdom is an immigrant's American dream and the skinny of what goes on in major league baseball. Brett Ballantini delivered Ozzie's wit and some of his own wisdom. Best spent $7.95.

Great readings in the Judeo-Christian tradition. 10 elegant sketches, based on historic originals

I gave this book as a hostess gift when my daughter got married. Forty women were delighted with the ecumenical spirit presented. The illustrations are poignant and evoke the true spirit of the book. One of the most broad-spectrum collections of inspirational writings and prayers I have ever had. As a woman approachng middle age, I was invited to take hold of a thread of unity with many other women throughout history.These are women, who have identified the image of God dwelling within and are vital forces in their environment because of that awareness.

Witty, perceptive, humorous, serious...quotes from some of the greatest women in history on every topic imaginable. A great value, both content and price-wise. Don't miss it!

This book is a wonderful anthology of women's sayings about a variety of topics such as women/men, education, politics, marriage, love, friendship etc. There are quotations of writers, poets, actresses from several centuries. A very interesting collection that is definitely worth the money!

Although I am a scientist and I appreciate Einstein being chosen as Man of the Century, I feel that Albert Schweitzer would have been a more compelling choice. It is true that Einstein represents the science and technology that is taking us at a breathless pace into the new millenium. But just where is is taking us?

Schweitzer's scholarship in medicine, music, and religion could easily have led him to a highly successful academic career at a university. But he did not choose this path. Rather, he put his knowledge of medicine to use at a primitive level by serving natives in a remote part of Africa. It was a courageous, soulworthy decision. For that reason it is worth learning everything we can about this man whose mind was capable of such unique comprehension and action.

I am very grateful that Norman Cousins put his editorial skills to use in selecting words of Albert Schweitzer to pass on to us. Cousins is correct in the Introduction when he says "The greatness of Schweitzer rests not just on what he has done but on what other have done because of him."

The words in the text are classified under six headings: Knowledge and Discovery, Reverence for Life, Faith, The Life of the Soul, The Musician as Artist, and Civilization and Peace. Also, an excerpt is given from Schweitzer's 1952 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.

The quotations range from humorous to subline; from "An organ is like a cow; one does not look at its horns so much as at its milk," to "The history of our time is characterized by a lack of reason which has no parallel in the past." It is a fearsome accusation for a generation that prides itself on the good job it has done in harnessing reason to science. Schweitzer further reflects that "we have sought to live and to carry on with a civilization which has no ethical principle behind it."

With the example of Schweitzer's life of dedication and service we can perhaps see a glimmering of the ethical principle that is missing in today's world. By living a life of sacrifice and service, his soul grows steadfastly without bound.

As printed in the Editor's Note, I first suggested the ides of this book to the publisher and corresponded with Norman Cousins. In l995 I wrote a multimedia musical dramatization called the "Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach>" This acclaimed production is available to churches and universities. It was prsented March l at Syracuse University, New York. Thurston Moore

I found out 2 week ago. My sister-in-law was dying of cancer. Her 57 year old husband and two grown children that adore her will be left behind. I went shopping for something, anything, to give comfort in a time when grief overwhelms, when nothing eases the pain. I picked up Words of Comfort, edited by Helen Exley at a hospital gift shop. I liked the artwork on the cover, roses, some well into their prime, lying by water reflecting their soft colors. The words within were as good as the promise of a fine cover. An ecclectic collection of famous and not so famous authors from the Bible to a 17 year-old boy were intersperced with beautiful color pictures. The non-denominational text and format met all my expectations for the sad gift my husband & I would present to the family. The book is appropriate for any religion (or no religion). These are truly words of comfort for those suffering loss.

This wonderful book was given to me after I lost my son during delivery. It has helped me through more "cry days" than I can remember. Of all the the sympathetic gifts and gestures, this is the one that is dearest to my heart. It can't be misinterpreted, tuned-out, or feel compelled to ease my pain. It doesn't worry if I'm okay...it lets me feel the way I feel, whenever that moment may come. I also deal with death every day in my job. I am the Casualty Rep at McClellan AFB, and I buy these books in large quantities with my own money, which I send to my widows and widowers when I sense that profound emptiness and dispair, a heartbreaking,"what now" look in their eyes. I wish I could send them to everyone I assist. I know that it's treasured by those who receive it, even though it's sent by a stranger. The one given to me was from a stranger as well. A wonderful woman I assisted when she lost her husband. She too, had received one, and knew I'd find comfort in its pages. It is as special and sacred to me as the pictures of my Baby Zachary, kept within it's binding.

It is like the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. Gandhi's seemingly superhuman insight on virtue is indeed deeply moving. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to hear many of the words of the wisest.

This book is short and sweet (the quotes are spaced out on the pages and they include photographs). This was informative of areas Ghandi does not talk of much in his autobiography, especially his views on non-violence. Inspiring quotes that get you thinking.

The need for leadership is astounding! The world around you is crying out for strong, character-based leadership that will not wilt or become ineffective in the face of challenging situations. God has an answer for the world's demand for leadership -- YOU! With distinct deliberation, He has placed a powerful seed of leadership in you before you even knew your name. Your calling as a leader is inescapable and it's time to lean into your destiny and answer your call. The authors have written this book to ignite and strengthen the leadership in you. This carefully selected collection of quotes will serve to inspire you to exercise your leadership in a positive and life-giving way. They address these 12 important areas in the life of a leader: Character, Handling Criticism, Dreams, Persistence, Focus, Communication, Associations, Mistakes and Failures, Decisiveness, Thought Life, Leading Others, and Passion. As you read this book, expect the leadership seed within you to be watered, nutured and energized so you are better equipped to touch the lives of others

"Throughout history, long before the Marines, God has been looking for a few good men," says Charles Swindoll. Now, more than ever, men around the world are responding to God -- choosing to become men of integrity, reconciliation and keepers of their word. In response to what God is doing, the authors have created Words of Promis for men. This collection of inspiring quotes brings you the best of what more than 100 comtemporary leaders are saying to men today. They address these 12 important topics: God, Character, Priorities, Sex and Intimacy, Finances, Family, Dreams and Purpose, Friends, Thought Life, Potential, Ministry, and Motivation. When God stretches you, you never come back to your original shape. Expect to be challenged, inspired and stretched as you read this book

Allen Klein has done a marvelous job at collecting, editing, and organizing a group of comedic quotes related to the workplace. It is easy to find snippets you can relate to a particular topic thanks to the categorization of the compilation, and it is also wonderfully entertaining to simply open the book at a random page and browse. This is a collection that will not become dated because the material is not tied to any specific era, but relies on the timeless friction that exists between worker and workplace, between boss and subordinate. The grist for this mill is always available. Highly recommended!

An excellent compilation of workplace anecdotes designed for those who need to offset stress with laughter.