The Most Brilliant Thoughts of All Time

by John Shanahan

You don't have to be a genius to sound like one. Here's a collection of the most profound and provocative wit and wisdom in the English language in two lines or less. Edited by entrepreneur John M. Shanahan, who created the wildly successful Hooked on Phonics program, this wonderful book presents the best that has been thought and said on every imaginable topic. Classified by such themes as "Truth, Lies, and Deception," "Men, Women, and Relationships," and "Passions, Virtues, and Vices," these quotes contain timeless messages for all humankind. Oscar "A man who marries his mistress leaves a vacancy in that position." Charles de "The cemetery is filled with indispensable men." Abraham "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." "Men of ill judgment oft ignore the good that lies within their hands, till they have lost it." Perfect for anyone who has ever been left speechless, this book will make you as glib as Oscar Wilde, as profound as Winston Churchill, and as wise as Aesop. Inspirational, entertaining, and thought-provoking, this is one collection that no library or bookshelf should be without.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Humor, Psychology, Philosophy, Language, Writing

324 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Lena Hershey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't expect this book to be funny, but it made me cry laughing.
This guy included his own "brilliant thoughts" , which include these nonsensical gems:

"If you don't bring Paris with you, you wont find it there."

"Reality is the other person's idea of how things should be."

"There are three important steps in a mans life: birth, marriage, and death ... but not necessarily in that order."

1 star. But also 10/10 would recommend.

[Jesse Broussard · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is arrogant, repetitive, and careless in his citations (he attributes a quote from Ovid's Amores to Cato and enters the same quotes in multiple locations throughout the book). He apparently never thought anyone would read it cover to cover, and I wish he'd been right.

Just a tip: if you're writing a book called "The Most Brilliant Thoughts of All Time," you probably shouldn't quote yourself, and you really shouldn't quote yourself twelve times, but if you're going to quote yourself twelve times, you should really make sure that they're all new quotes: not ten quotes with two repetitions. And seriously: how do you quote yourself more than Chesterton, Bierce and Shaw combined? Ouch.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many of the quotes are lacking sources. Many are repeated. The editor has thrown in his own.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another 50 cent find at the Hummelstown Library book sale. Some nice quotations, and the book provides them with a few chapters. Nothing super in-depth, but just the quote - the person and their dates.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of quotes. I love to look at it whenever I have a few minutes.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what i expected

[Ross Lampert · Rating 1 out of 5]

A high school buddy gave me this book a long, long time ago. Now that I’ve read it, I have to wonder why. In the spirit of its “(In Two Lines or Less)” subtitle, here are my thoughts.

Cynical: But Ambrose Bierce’s The Devil’s Dictionary did that better.
Repetitive: Go ahead and use the same quote in different chapters. No one will notice.

Egotistical: Never trust an editor who considers more of his own thoughts “brilliant” than those in all of the great religious works ever written… combined.

Repetitive: Go ahead and use nearly-identical quotes in the same chapter. No one will notice.

Disorganized: Organizing quotes like these along themes within a given chapter is a great idea. It’s just not required.

At least I learned the full or true names of various famous people: F. Scott Fitzgerald (Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald), Voltaire (François Marie Arouet), George Orwell (Eric Blair), Anatole France (Jacques Anatole François Thibault), George Eliot (Marian Evans Cross), and Leon Trotsky (Lev Davidovich Bronstein), among others. That’s not enough to recommend this book, however.

[Dominic C · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is essentially a long list of quotes. Because of that, it isn't the most entertaining reading material. Don't get me wrong, the people who wrote/spoke these quotes were geniuses. The collection of these quotes however was quite boring. I think this was mostly because I read all of the quotes, page after page, until I got tired. I believe it best to read this book much differently. You should just pick up this book, go to a random page in a section you want quotes about, read the quotes on that page, put the book down, and go about your day. This book isn't meant to be read straight.

Overall, I think this book contains some of the most brilliant thoughts ever created, but isn't great in terms of something to curl up and read.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for quotes, but I wish they had more positive quotes. Some are pretty glass half empty kind of stuff.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros: witty thoughts from every possible source
Cons: Repetitive, The author used his own thoughts in the chapters.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book filled with wise saying from scholars, writers, and a just a few very from the author to keep up on our toes.

[Jenna Hackeman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Handful of ignorant, sexist quotes. Someone tell the author we’re not in the 1950’s and to get in touch with reality.

[Mark A.]

""

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Monsieur Shanahan: Thank you, my dear, for listening to my brilliant remarks at our Paris salons over the years. But why attribute them to these strangers? I don't even think 'Southern Proverb' is a real person! You attribute "Brains are an asset, if you hide them," to Mae West. But what she really said to you was: "Your brains are best for sitting on ." Still, the three way with Luc de Clapiers de Vauvenargues was a blast!

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone gave us this compilation of "brilliant" thoughts. Yes there are a few of them but the editor picked and chose some of the stupidest ones ever. Shanahan in the section on Men, Women, and Relationships had to have picked the most pessimistic misogynist quotes available. Since when does one go to Oscar Wilde for advice on healthy male/female relationships? Even the other quotes one the subject were dripping with anti-marriage, anti-love, and anti-equality views. As a whole I'd rename this work as "The Most Pessimistic Thoughts of All Time." Shanahan had better stick to Hooked on Phonics and leave the actual choice of words to more actual brilliant minds.

[Scott Macon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reference this book quite often when composing emails or letters...I will also use the material in my photography work....

Quote: Philosophy....a road with many routes that lead from nowhere to nothing....

that say it all.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

great quick reference quote book, just perfect for a quick pick me up. was a gift and it was perfect. i think books make great gift ideas. mom always said that, too

[Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok

[Linda Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of quotations.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I go back to this book again and again for brilliant insight.