Quotes · Skopia

35 quotes

For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—while all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reasons.

Douglas Adams

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy · 1978

★ 1.0

Essay

We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works.

Douglas Adams

2001

★ 1.0

That knuckle-end of England—that land of Calvin, oat-cakes, and sulphur.

Sydney Smith

1845

★ 1.1

Interview · Newspaper

Everyone repeats themselves.

Rachel Whiteread

2012

★ 1.1

In the four quarters of the globe, who reads an American book, or goes to an American play, or looks at an American picture or statue?... Under which of the old tyrannical governments of Europe is every sixth man a slave, whom his fellow-creatures may buy, and sell and torture?

Sydney Smith

1820

★ 1.8

Did you ever hear my definition of marriage? It is, that it resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they can not be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing any one who comes between them.

Sydney Smith

1845

★ 1.8

Novel · Detective fiction

It was none the less a perfectly ordinary horse, such as convergent evolution has produced in many of the places that life is to be found. They have always understood a great deal more than they let on. It is difficult to be sat on all day, every day, by some other creature, without forming an opinion about them.

Douglas Adams

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency · 1987

★ 1.8

Essay

Follow the accident, fear the fixed plan-that is the rule.

John Fowles

1977

★ 1.9

Novel · Science fiction

Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.

Douglas Adams

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy · 1980

★ 1.9

Novel · Science fiction

There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Douglas Adams

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe · 1980

★ 1.9

Poem

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

Nicholas Breton

1577

★ 1.9

No furniture so charming as books.

Sydney Smith

1845

★ 1.9

Biography

That sign of old age: extolling the past at the expense of the present.

Sydney Smith

1845

★ 1.9

Novel · Detective fiction

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.

Douglas Adams

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul · 1988

★ 1.9

Novel · Detective fiction

It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on earth has ever produced the expression "As pretty as an airport."

Douglas Adams

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul · 1988

★ 1.9

Scientific literature

In the discovery of secret things and in the investigation of hidden causes, stronger reasons are obtained from sure experiments and demonstrated arguments than from probable conjectures and the opinions of philosophical speculators of the common sort.

William Gilbert

De Magnete · 1600

★ 3.5

Political literature

When I was poor and I complained about inequality they said I was bitter, now I'm rich and I complain about inequality they say I'm a hypocrite. I'm beginning to think they just don't want to talk about inequality.

Russell Brand

Revolution · 2014

★ 3.5

Poem

The road to resolution lies by doubt: The next way home's the farthest way about.

Francis Quarles

Emblems · 1635

★ 3.5

Poem

We spend our midday sweat, our midnight oil; We tire the night in thought, the day in toil.

Francis Quarles

1635

★ 3.5

Poem

Thou art my way; I wander, if thou fly; Thou art my light; if hid, how blind am I! Thou art my life; if thou withdraw, I die.

Francis Quarles

1643

★ 3.5

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