Customer Reviews

Collins Dictionary of Quotations

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of those books everybody should have... It is funny, and often insightful. It also gives you an idea of what different people believe about many subjects, and leaves you somewhat envious because you cannot help but wish you could express yourself as clearly and seemingly effortlessly as them.

There are quotations on a lot of subjects, and they all differ greatly: some make you laugh, other lead you to think. I specially like the quotations that are permeated by ironic wit.

Some are truly remarkable, for example:

* "Ambition": one of the quotations is the answer that Daniel Webster gave, when he was advised not to join the overcrowded legal profession: "There is always room at the top" :)

* "the Army": Henry Kissinger said(accurately and clearly) that "The conventional army loses if it does not win. The guerilla wins if it does not lose".

* "Belief": one of Cardinal Newman ("We can believe what we choose. We are answerable for what we choose to believe") and one of Bertrand Russel (who on being asked if he would be willing to die for his beliefs said "Of course not. After all, I may be wrong").

* Lastly, one on "Boredom" (I could go on copying my favorite quotations forever, but... you should read the book): Warren Austin, on being asked if he found long debates at the UN tiring, said that "It is better for aged diplomats to be bored than for young men to die".

As you see, reading quotations is quite entertaining, and learning from them even more so. If you can buy this book (or ask somebody to lend it to you), you won't have regrets.