Customer Reviews

Civilization's Quotations: Life's Ideal

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This book is amazing and there's no doubt as to how much time and research was done by the author. I sincerely believe that the only sin is that this specific book is not in every single classroom, every library, every reference shelf... a must-have for anyone looking for inspiration, the perfect quote for any situation (as they're beautifully listed, thus, easy to find), and an amazing resource for writers of all kinds, who are lacking inspiration, even for just a brief moment in time. Absolutely motivating and inspiring. A "must-have" for every bookshelf everywhere.

Krieger's book is a wonderful resource for the quotation junkie. And, as a writer, I plan on using it for years to come. It is one of the most complete compilations of quotations I have ever come upon.

Organized well into chapters with headings such as Love, Truth, Courage, Genius, Power and People, it is further broken down into sub-groups. For example: under "Love" you will find "The Heart ", Compassion", "Feeling", and "Emotion."

It is enlightening, as well as occasionally amusing, to see the different take various authors have on a particular subject. For instance, let's look at what our sages say about patience-never my strong suit. The old chestnut "Patience is a virtue" evolves into "Patience is the companion of wisdom" by St. Augustine, becomes more real in "Patience doth conquer by out suffering all" by Peel, then taking a 45° turn with the humorous "Patience, and shuffle the cards." (Miguel de Cervantes)

Don't skip Mr. Krieger's introduction (and read it first) as he has managed to pull together the book into an excellent roadmap for the journey into its pages. His intent in compiling this compendium was quite obviously to assist us in our individual paths throughout life, showing us the wisdom and truth of those who trod the road before us, as well as some modern-day sages.

My only real complaint is that I wished it had an index of authors. I have my favorites, and it would have been nice to be able to go directly to their quotes.

Perhaps the next printing?

The amount of work that went into this book is obvious and simply astounding, the product is extraordinary. This book should be owned by all as it culls all the great quotations from recorded history up to the present. For anyone who needs a reference to a pithy, trenchant, aphorism, witticism, or slice of wisdom this is the perfect tome. The book is divided into numerous intelligent rubrics such as character, love, truth, justice, friendship, family and faith. It is simply interesting to peruse; the section on love moved and inspired me. Turn to any page and one is inspired to meditate and be inspired. There are but a handful of these types of books that are worth much: this is near the top, if not at, of the list