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If Ignorance Is Bliss, Why Aren't There More Happy People?: Smart Quotes for Dumb Times
John Lloyd and John Mitchinson have proven themselves to be masters at digging up obscure facts, abstruse information, and amusing anecdotes and presenting them effortlessly, somewhat slyly, with either great wit or at least a little bit of tongue in cheek. Their gifts are on full display in Quote Interesting, a lively, wonderfully enjoyable anthology of hundreds of quotes...more
Hardcover, 416 pages
Published
August 4th 2009
by Harmony
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This is a perfectly respectable collection of quotations. Anyone expecting it to live up to the sheer brilliance of the Q.I. television show will be disappointed, however. Their sales pitch is that it is a cut above all other such collections (they don't explicitly say "because we're smarter", but that's obviously what they mean).
It's not. There are some gems, some duds among the quotations. But here is an example of where they follow the Q.I. pattern (which is to avoid th...more
It's not. There are some gems, some duds among the quotations. But here is an example of where they follow the Q.I. pattern (which is to avoid th...more
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Not just the usual suspects, this anthology of quotes is thoughtful, surprising, and, despite its brevity, remarkably rich and wide-ranging in its selections. The title quote, for example, is by Victor Cousins, a 19th century French philosopher—three surprises there: time, nationality and occupation. Really? A French philosopher from the 19th century with a 20th or 21st century stand up comedian’s deadpan humor? The editors toss in some mini commentaries on selected contributors, helpful, ironic...more
It is in the whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has meaning. Problems are the cutting edge that distinguishes between success and failure. Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed, they create our courage and our wisdom. It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually. It is through the pain of confronting and resolving problems that we learn. M. Scott Peck
When you worry, you go over the same ground endlessly and come out the sa...more
When you worry, you go over the same ground endlessly and come out the sa...more
I wasn't sure what this book was going to be when it came. I knew it said it was a quote book, but having never bothered to read other quite books I wasn't sure what I was in for.
This book has a short intro/prologue in which the author informs us of their love of quotes, collecting quotes, and how this is the collection of the greatest quotes they have encountered.
The set up is simple - Topics are arranged alphabetically and each topic has 3-15 quotes filed under it. Ea...more
This book has a short intro/prologue in which the author informs us of their love of quotes, collecting quotes, and how this is the collection of the greatest quotes they have encountered.
The set up is simple - Topics are arranged alphabetically and each topic has 3-15 quotes filed under it. Ea...more
Quotes to remember:
Think like a man of action; act like a man of thought. Henri Bergson
Introducing 'Lite' - The new way to spell 'light' but with 20% fewer letters. Jerry Seinfeld
Inside every old woman is a young girl wondering what the hell happened. Cora Harvey Armstrong
I'm at an age when my back goes out more than I do. Phyllis Diller
America is a large friendly dog in a small room. Every time it wags its tail it knocks over a chair. ...more
Think like a man of action; act like a man of thought. Henri Bergson
Introducing 'Lite' - The new way to spell 'light' but with 20% fewer letters. Jerry Seinfeld
Inside every old woman is a young girl wondering what the hell happened. Cora Harvey Armstrong
I'm at an age when my back goes out more than I do. Phyllis Diller
America is a large friendly dog in a small room. Every time it wags its tail it knocks over a chair. ...more
"Ninety percent of politicians give the other ten percent a bad name."
"Someone has tabulated that we have thirty-five million laws on the books to enforce the Ten Commandments."
"For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe."
"If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to
me."
"Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new."...more
"Someone has tabulated that we have thirty-five million laws on the books to enforce the Ten Commandments."
"For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe."
"If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to
me."
"Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new."...more
Another QI book which, like the other one(QI The Book of General Ignorance), is more of a reference book than something you'd read in one fell swoop. I want to show these books off though, because I'm very proud of owning them, so here they are.
This book is a collection of famous and non famous quotes that have been said or written by people. I think that this book is pretty good because it's interesting to read what people have said about anything from cats and dogs, to democracy and dictators. And some of the quotes can even be funny.
An excellent collection of usable quotes for everyday use from the thinkologists at Qi. And yes, I did flinch when I wrote thinkologists.
Pass this one around the table, with the wine, at Sunday dinner and have everyone read aloud their favorite fast pick. Great fun!
Great fun! Here's one of my favourites - by Groucho Marx:
"These are my principles, and if you don't like them - I have others!"
"These are my principles, and if you don't like them - I have others!"
A brand new book of quotations! I love quotations, and this is a lot of fun! Smart quotes for dumb times indeed!
A lot of good, usable quotes, good for cards and t-shirts. Organized by subject. Good to have on hand.
A superior collection of quotes. These two authors have been collecting quotes for more than 10 years and have included the best of the best. I really like the organization which mkaes it easy to use.
A book of very interesting quotations. Fun/ny to just browse.
Mary Radmacher
is currently reading it
This is one of my most compelling collections of quotes. I love it.
read to find out some what hilarious
Fantastic book of quotes!
Love it. Read it before, perfect for dipping in and out of or just reading from cover to cover. A quote for every occasion.
Quality sampling of quotes on a variety of topics. Enjoyed the read!
Funny, Entertaining and informative.
"A book should serve as an axe for the frozen sea within us." ~Franz Kafka
"I would not exchange my early and invincible love of reading for all the treasures in India." ~ Edward Gibbon
"When the solution is simple, God is answering." ~Albert Einstein
"There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness." ~Josh Billings
"I would not exchange my early and invincible love of reading for all the treasures in India." ~ Edward Gibbon
"When the solution is simple, God is answering." ~Albert Einstein
"There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness." ~Josh Billings
I haven't exactly read the whole thing. It's a book of amazingly witty quotes that would take a long time to read in between novels. which is no problem except that it is a borrowed book (thanks Erin!!!!!). so it is being added to my xmas list and added to a box to (hopefully) be shipped back to it's home.
With a title like this, there is no way I could pass it up! It was an enjoyable collection of quotes, some witty, some inspiring, and some that were a bit dull. Overall, it was a fun book. I enjoy quotes very much and will probably to back to this book over and over again.
Finally, a book of non-recycled quotations. Even if it increases your carbon footprint, go out and buy it already! You can quote me on that.
Free book - really funny quotations.
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John Hardress Wilfred Lloyd CBE is a British comedy writer and television producer. Lloyd was Trinity College, Cambridge, where he befriended and later shared a flat with Douglas Adams. He worked as a radio producer at the BBC 1974–1978 and created The News Quiz, The News Huddlines, To The Manor Born (with Peter Spence) and Quote... Unquote (with Nigel Rees). He wrote Hordes of the Things with And...more
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