Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Advanced Search
  • Explore Categories
  • Suggested Tags
  • Blog
  • Contact
Bon Mots
  • Quote Text
  • Topic
  • Person
  • Source
  • Medium
  • Genre
  • Statement
  • Language
  • Time
  • Occupation
  • From
  • Quote Text
  • Topic
  • Person
  • Source
  • Medium
  • Genre
  • Statement
  • Language
  • Time
  • Occupation
  • From

Advanced Search

Drill down into our database of quotes.

Currently showing 10,076 quotes

Wherever a knave is not punished, an honest man is laughed at.

George Savile, Lord Halifax

Read A Character of King Charles II at Project Gutenberg
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Rule of law Criminal law Law Political theory Politics

Author

George Savile, Lord Halifax

Source

A Character of King Charles II

Language

English

Time

1750 1750s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 2

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Savile, George. "Of Punishment." A Character of King Charles The Second and Political, Moral and Miscellaneous Thoughts and Reflections. London: J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, 1750.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

Everything is funny as long as it is happening to Somebody Else.

Will Rogers

There are no other quotes by this person in the Bon Mots database.
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Misfortunes of others

Author

Will Rogers

Language

English

Time

1924 1920s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Rogers, Will. "Warning to Jokers: Lay Off the Prince." The Illiterate Digest. Albert & Charles Boni, 1924.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

I wish my deadly foe, no worse
Than want of friends, and empty purse.

Nicholas Breton

There are no other quotes by this person in the Bon Mots database.
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Enemies Loneliness Poverty

Author

Nicholas Breton

Source

A Farewell to Town

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1577 1570s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Breton, Nicholas. A Farewell to Town. c. 1577.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.

Epictetus

Discourses

Buy Discourses at Amazon Buy Discourses at Amazon
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Intellectual humility Certainty Obstacles to learning Learning

Author

Epictetus

Source

Discourses

Medium

Lecture

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

108 100s 2nd century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Original Citation

Epictetus. Ἐπικτήτου διατριβαί, Epiktētou diatribai [The Discourses of Epictetus]. c. 108, bk. 2, ch. 17.

Original citation text copied to clipboard.

Current Citation

Epictetus. "The Discourses." Discourses and Other Writings, edited and translated by Robert Dobbin. Penguin Classics, 2008, bk. 2, ch. 17.

Current citation text copied to clipboard.

Some recent work by E. Fermi and L. Szilard, which has been communicated to me in manuscript, leads me to expect that the element uranium may be turned into a new and important source of energy in the immediate future. Certain aspects of the situation which has arisen seem to call for watchfulness and if necessary, quick action on the part of the Administration.

Albert Einstein

Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Nuclear weapons Physics Moments of discovery

Author

Albert Einstein

Source

Letters of Albert Einstein

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1939 1930s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Einstein, Albert. Quoted in Einstein on Peace, edited by Otto Nathan and Heinz Norden. Simon and Schuster, 1960, ch. 9. Originally from Letter to Franklin Roosevelt, 2 Aug. 1939.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

In our own lives, let each of us ask—not just what will government do for me, but what can I do for myself? In the challenges we face together, let each of us ask—not just how can government help, but how can I help?

Richard Nixon

Second Inaugural Address of Richard Nixon

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Citizen and state Civic duty American politics

Speaker

Richard Nixon

Source

Second Inaugural Address of Richard Nixon Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1973 1970s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Nixon, Richard. "Second Inaugural Address." 20 Jan. 1973, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language.

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Limits of knowledge Language Philosophy

Author

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Source

Philosophical Investigations

Medium

Treatise

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

German

Time

1953 1950s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Original Citation

Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Philosophische Untersuchungen [Philosophical Investigations]. Suhrkamp, 1953, pt. 1.

Original citation text copied to clipboard.

Current Citation

Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Philosophical Investigations, translated by G. E. M. Anscombe, et. al., edited by P. M. S. Hacker and Joachim Schulte. Wiley Blackwell, 2009, pt. 1.

Current citation text copied to clipboard.

Time, which strengthens friendship, weakens love.

Jean de La Bruyere

The Characters

There are no other quotes from this source in the Bon Mots database.
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Effects of time Love and friendship Friendship Love Time

Author

Jean de La Bruyere

Source

The Characters

Medium

Novel

Language

French

Time

1688 1680s 17th century

Authentication Score 2

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Original Citation

Bruyère, Jean de La. Les Caractères ou les Mœurs de ce siècle [The Characters or Manners of this Century]. Paris: Estienne Michallet, 1688, ch. 4, no. 4.

Original citation text copied to clipboard.

Current Citation

Bruyère, Jean de La. The Characters of Jean de la Bruyère, translated by Henri van Laun. Routledge, 1929, ch. 4, no. 4.

Current citation text copied to clipboard.

Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham

Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Nature of power Absolute power Power

Speaker

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1770 1770s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Pitt, William. Speech in the House of Lords on John Wilkes. 9 Jan. 1770, Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London, England, UK.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him...and in that way he becomes immortal.

Big Fish

Watch Big Fish at Amazon Watch Big Fish at Amazon
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Stories

Speaker

Will Bloom

Actor

Billy Crudup

Source

Big Fish

Medium

Film

Genre

Fantasy (film) Comedy drama (film) Fantasy Comedy drama

Language

English

Time

2003 2000s 21st century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Big Fish. Directed by Tim Burton, Columbia Pictures/Jinks/Cohen Company/The Zanuck Company, 2003.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

Whatsoever is of domestic concernment, unconnected with the other members of the Union or with foreign lands, belongs exclusively to the administration of the State governments. Whatsoever directly involves the rights and interests of the federative fraternity or of foreign powers is of the resort of this General Government. The duties of both are obvious in the general principle, though sometimes perplexed with difficulties in the detail.

John Quincy Adams

Inaugural Address of John Quincy Adams

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Federalism Subsidiarity American government Political theory

Speaker

John Quincy Adams

Source

Inaugural Address of John Quincy Adams Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1825 1820s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Adams, John Quincy. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1825, House Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

Ye are fallen from grace.

Apostle Paul

Galatians 5:4

Buy the Bible (KJV) at Amazon Buy the Bible (KJV) at Amazon
Read this verse at Bible Hub
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Original sin The human condition

Author

Apostle Paul

Source

Galatians The Bible

Medium

Scripture

Genre

Religious literature

Language

Greek

Time

50 50s 1st century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Galatians 5:4).

Citation text copied to clipboard.

Love, it's a motherfucker, huh?

Old School

Watch Old School at Amazon Watch Old School at Amazon
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Dangers of love Love

Speaker

Waiter

Actor

Bryan Callen

Source

Old School

Medium

Film

Genre

Comedy (film) Comedy

Language

English

Time

2003 2000s 21st century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Old School. Directed by Todd Phillips, The Montecito Picture Company, 2003.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

Thus it came to him merely to run away was folly, because he could never run away from himself.

Sinclair Lewis

Babbitt

Buy Babbitt at Amazon Buy Babbitt at Amazon
Read Babbitt at Project Gutenberg
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Running away Escape

Author

Sinclair Lewis

Source

Babbitt

Medium

Novel

Genre

Satire

Language

English

Time

1922 1920s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Original Citation

Lewis, Sinclair. Babbitt. Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1922, ch. 25.

Original citation text copied to clipboard.

Current Citation

Lewis, Sinclair. Babbitt, edited by Gordon Hutner. Oxford University Press, 2010, ch. 25.

Current citation text copied to clipboard.

It's an odd feeling, farewell. There is some envy in it. Men go off to be tested, for courage. And if we're tested at all, it's for patience, for doing without, but for how well we can endure loneliness.

Out of Africa

There are no other quotes from this source in the Bon Mots database.
Watch Out of Africa at Amazon Watch Out of Africa at Amazon
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Saying goodbye War

Speaker

Karen

Actor

Meryl Streep

Source

Out of Africa

Medium

Film

Genre

Romantic drama (film) Epic (film) Romantic drama Epic

Language

English

Time

1985 1980s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Out of Africa. Directed by Sydney Pollack, Mirage Enterprises, 1985.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

I am the daughter of Earth and Water,
And the nursling of the Sky.
I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;
I change, but I cannot die.

Percy Bysshe Shelley

The Cloud

Buy a book containing this poem at Amazon Buy a book containing this poem at Amazon
Read The Cloud at Poetry Foundation
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Clouds

Author

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Source

The Cloud

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1820 1820s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Original Citation

Shelley, Percy Bysshe. "The Cloud." Prometheus Unbound, A Lyrical Drama, in Four Acts, With Other Poems. London: Charles and James Ollier, 1820, I. 73.

Original citation text copied to clipboard.

Current Citation

Shelley, Percy Bysshe. "The Cloud." Percy Bysshe Shelley: The Major Works, edited by Zachary Leader and Michael O'Neill. Oxford University Press, 2009, I. 73.

Current citation text copied to clipboard.

I have tried too in my time to be a philosopher; but, I don't know how, cheerfulness was always breaking in.

Oliver Edwards

There are no other quotes by this person in the Bon Mots database.

Quoted in The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D, by James Boswell

Buy The Life of Samuel Johnson at Amazon Buy The Life of Samuel Johnson at Amazon
Read The Life of Samuel Johnson at Project Gutenberg
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Philosophy Pessimism Optimism

Speaker

Oliver Edwards

Author

James Boswell

Source

The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

Genre

Biography

Language

English

Time

1778 1770s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Original Citation

Edwards, Oliver. Quoted in journal entry, written by James Boswell. 17 Apr. 1778.

Original citation text copied to clipboard.

Current Citation

Edwards, Oliver. Quoted in Life of Samuel Johnson. Written by James Boswell, edited by David Womersley. Penguin Classics, 2008.

Current citation text copied to clipboard.

The argument of the broken window pane is the most valuable argument in modern politics.

Emmeline Pankhurst

Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Women's suffrage movement Women's rights

Speaker

Emmeline Pankhurst

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1912 1910s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Pankhurst, Emmeline. "The Argument of the Broken Pane." Dinner at the Connaught Rooms in Honour of the Released Prisoners. 16 Feb. 1912, Connaught Rooms, London, England, UK.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity.

G.K. Chesterton

Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Literature Fiction Stories

Author

G.K. Chesterton

Source

A Defense of Penny-Dreadfuls The Defendant

Medium

Essay

Language

English

Time

1901 1900s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Citation

Chesterton, G.K. "The Defendant." The Wit, Whimsy and Wisdom of G.K. Chesterton. Vol. 6, Coachwhip Publications, 2009. Originally published by R. Brinley Johnson, 1901.

Citation text copied to clipboard.

The world is little, people are little, human life is little. There is only one big thing-desire.

Willa Cather

The Song of the Lark

Buy The Song of the Lark at Amazon Buy The Song of the Lark at Amazon
Read The Song of the Lark at Project Gutenberg
Instagram sharing coming soon.
Quote text and source copied to clipboard.
Link to this quote copied to clipboard.

More information about this quote

Topic

Desire

Speaker

Wunsch

Author

Willa Cather

Source

The Song of the Lark

Medium

Novel

Language

English

Time

1915 1910s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

More information on Authentication Score coming soon.

Original Citation

Cather, Willa. The Song of the Lark. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1915, pt. 1, ch. 9.

Original citation text copied to clipboard.

Current Citation

Cather, Willa. The Song of the Lark. Vintage, 1999, pt. 1, ch. 9.

Current citation text copied to clipboard.
  • Load Next 20 Quotes
Go to top
bomots
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contact

© 2023 Bon Mots LLC — Terms and conditions