Familiar Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced Totheir Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature
Familiar Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced Totheir Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations is a legendary reference work that does something deceptively simple and utterly essential: it tells you who actually said what. First compiled in 1855 by John Bartlett, a Cambridge bookseller, this compendium grew from a private notebook he kept to track down the sources of passages his customers quoted incorrectly. Over more than a century and a half, it has evolved into the definitive authority on tracing phrases, proverbs, and literary gems back to their origins in ancient and modern literature. The book organizes thousands of quotations chronologically by author, allowing readers to trace the evolution of ideas and language across centuries. What makes this volume remarkable is its dual purpose: it celebrates well-known sayings while revealing lesser-known contextual treasures, transforming familiar phrases back into the living passages from which they were extracted. Whether you are a writer seeking accurate attribution, a student researching primary sources, or a reader who has ever wondered, "Did Twain actually say that?" this book remains an indispensable companion. Its influence extends far beyond casual reference; courts of law, journalists, and scholars routinely consult its pages to settle questions of authorship and meaning.
Editions
X-Ray
“You may be shocked by how fragile information is, and I fear it is only getting worse. Each transmission of a quote can sometimes seem to produce cracks in the truth.””
— Unknown
“Artemus Ward: Respected Sir”
— Unknown
“Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill, Dorothy Parker, and Yogi Berra are quotation superstars. Personas of this type are so vibrant and attractive that they become hosts for quotations they never uttered. A remark formulated by a lesser-known figure is attached to a famous host. The relationship is symbiotic and often enhances the popularity of both the host and the quotation.””
— Unknown
“In the struggle for survival, the cutest win out at the expense of the less cute because they appeal more to celebrities and, through them, to a live television audience.””
— Unknown
“May you live in interesting times.””
— Unknown
“In the years after the death of Confucius circa 479 BC, a compilation of his teachings and aphorisms was constructed and is now referred to as the Analects. One passage instructs a benevolent ruler on how to rule”
— Unknown
“In 1996, as discussed earlier, Gates denied that he made the remark. He also questioned the existence of any solid reference for the statement:””
— Unknown
“Interestingly, over a long period, a popular expression can shift ascriptions multiple times as the fame of individuals expands and contracts. You may be shocked by how fragile information is, and I fear it is only getting worse.””
— Unknown
“Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. In””
— Unknown
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Unknown. Familiar Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced Totheir Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature. Lex, lex-books.com/book/familiar-quotations-a-collection-of-passages-phrases-and-proverbs-traced-totheir-ebea4c20-6eaf-4802-ac20-7f24dd27134f.Unknown (n.d.). Familiar Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced Totheir Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/familiar-quotations-a-collection-of-passages-phrases-and-proverbs-traced-totheir-ebea4c20-6eaf-4802-ac20-7f24dd27134fUnknown. Familiar Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced Totheir Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/familiar-quotations-a-collection-of-passages-phrases-and-proverbs-traced-totheir-ebea4c20-6eaf-4802-ac20-7f24dd27134f.