Mastodawn

For ridicule shall frequently prevail,
And cut the knot, when graver reasons fail.

[Ridiculum acri
Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res.]

Horace (65–8 BC) Roman poet, satirist, soldier, politician [Quintus Horatius Flaccus]
Satires [Saturae, Sermones], Book 1, # 10 “Nempe incomposito,” l. 14ff (1.10.14-15) (35 BC) [tr. Francis (1747)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/horace/1955/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #horace #argument #comedy #debate #derision #humor #impact #jest #jibe #jokes #laughter #mockery #rhetoric #ridicule #satire #scorn #wit #witticism #writing #persuasion #influence

Horace - Satires [Saturae, Sermones], Book 1, # 10 "Nempe incomposito," l. 14ff (1.10.14-15) (35 BC) [tr. Francis (1747)] | WIST Quotations

For ridicule shall frequently prevail, And cut the knot, when graver reasons fail. [Ridiculum acri Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res.] On varying and selecting the proper tone and style when writing. (Source (Latin)). Alternate translations: A Drolling merry stile does better hit Great matters, then a down-right railing…

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WIST Quotations moves again!Dec 20, 2024

A quotation from Antrim, Minna:

«
A witticism is that clever thing you wish you had said, not listened to.
»

Full quote, sourcing, notes:
https://wist.info/antrim-minna/73539/

#quote #quotes #quotation #bonmot #cleverness #remark #wit #witticism

WIST Quotations moves again!Dec 7, 2023

A quotation from Wilde, Oscar:

«
WILDE: I wish I had said that.
WHISTLER: You will, Oscar, you will.
»

Full quote, sourcing, notes:
https://wist.info/wilde-oscar/4174/

#quote #quotes #quotation #appropriation #bonmot #epigram #exchange #plagiarism #witticism

(Attributed) - Wilde, Oscar | WIST Quotations

WILDE: I wish I had said that. WHISTLER: You will, Oscar, you will. An anecdotal exchange between Wilde and James Whistler, associated with how Wilde was known for reusing epigrams and witticisms from various folk, usually not crediting them. References to the exchange date back, in various sources and forms,…

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