Epigrams, aphorisms, and other bon mots gathered from the celebrated wit's plays, essays, and conversation offer an entertaining selection of observations both comic and profound. Organized by category, the nearly 400 quotes range in subject from human nature, morals, and society to art, politics, history, and more.
Candide by Voltaire, Francois-Marie Arouet One of the world's great satires since its first publication in 1759. Witty, caustic skewering of romance, science, philosophy, religion, government — nearly all human ideals and institutions.
The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce Over 1,000 barbed and brilliant definitions. Congratulations are "the civility of envy," a historian is a "broad-gauged gossip," many more. H. L. Mencken called these "some of the most gorgeous witticisms in the English language."
A Modest Proposal and Other Satirical Works by Jonathan Swift Treasury of 5 shorter works includes title piece plus The Battle of the Books, A Meditation Upon a Broom-Stick, A Discourse Concerning the Mechanical Operation of the Spirit and The Abolishing of Christianity in England.
Shakespeare: A Book of Quotations by William Shakespeare With over 500 offerings from the most quoted writer in the English language, this modestly priced volume provides a luxurious assortment of memorable and profound thoughts on love, marriage, truth, beauty, more.
The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain: A Book of Quotations by Mark Twain Includes hundreds of Twain's most memorable quips and comments on life, love, history, culture, travel, and diverse other topics, among them "He is now fast rising from affluence to poverty."
Wit and Wisdom from Poor Richard’s Almanack by Benjamin Franklin Hundreds of delightful aphorisms, carefully selected from many issues of Franklin's popular 18th-century publication: "He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas" and many others.
Women’s Wit and Wisdom: A Book of Quotations by Susan L. Rattiner Over 400 memorable quotes from the last 2,500 years by Sappho, Queen Elizabeth I, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Erma Bombeck, Oprah Winfrey and many others. A delight!
Scintillating drawing-room comedy revolves around a blackmail scheme that forces a married couple to reexamine their moral standards. The dialogue between young lovers, society matrons, and a formidable femme fatale keeps the action brisk.
Mark Twain at Your Fingertips: A Book of Quotations by Mark Twain, Caroline Thomas Harnsberger Gathered from Twain's classic novels, diary entries, newspaper articles, and correspondence, this collection of wry quips and quotes offers the great humorist and storyteller's observations on animals, critics, politics, youth, and more.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Celebrated novel involves a handsome young Londoner who sinks into a life of depravity. His body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recent portrait reflects the ravages of his crime and sensuality.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Wilde's witty and buoyant comedy of manners, filled with some of literature's most famous epigrams, reprinted from an authoritative British edition. Considered Wilde's most perfect work.
