Quotes

by Hla Min

Update : 9th November 2026

Book of Quotations

• In our younger days, we rely on Bartlett’s “Book of familiar quotations”.
• The Bible and Shakespeare provided the major number of quotes in the book.
• Several quotes were marked “Anon.” for anonymous (or unknown author).

Misquotes and Wrong attribution

• If people do not check the source, they may misquote or attribute a quote to the wrong person.
• Many wrongly believe that Sherlock Holmes said, “Elementary, my dear Watson”.

Autographs

• We used to have autograph books.
• I remember a quote:
  “Worry is like sand in an oyster. A little produces a pearl. Too much kills the animal.”