Epigrams

by Larry Phillips

"Epigrams" is a compilation of thoughts on a variety of subjects: character and society, enemies and evil, friendship and love, politics and wisdom, self-improvement and health, death and aging, and time's swift passage.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2014

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

`If you try to be good, all the rest of life will fall into place.'

Wisconsin native Larry W. Phillips is the author of numerous books, including `Ernest Hemingway On Writing', `Zen and the Art of Poker', `F Scott Fitzgerald on Writing', `Covering the Second Coming', `The Tao of Poker', `Madison Retro, and `The Rift.' He began his writing career as a reporter for the United Country Courier newspaper. Before focusing upon books, he authored many magazine and newspaper articles. From this collection of titles it would seem that though well informed about writing and gaming there is little to suggest that his interest would move into the realm of collecting epigrams. But again, a man of such diverse experience is bound to have encountered enough meaningful moments that his decision to share them seems natural.

An epigram is a brief, interesting, memorable, and sometimes surprising or satirical statement. Or as Phillips states, `Somewhere in memory are all the moments that occurred in the past that are like this moment.' Phillips has arranged his epigrams into categories and encourages the reader to wander through his thoughts, choosing which subject feels more urgent, rather than reading the books cover to cover. Some of the subjects he has created include Conversation, Friends & Friendship, Love, Politics & World History, Illogic and Inconsistency, On Negativity, Criticism, Adversaries, Enemies , Evil, Phoniness, Character and Integrity, Self-Involvement, Exercise & Health, Life, Perceptions, Death, Time, Aging, Youth, & Adulthood, Victims, Losers & Martyrs, Art, On Linear Thinking, Happiness & Unhappiness, Morality, Sanity and Insanity and so on. In each category he delivers multiple thoughts - written images to stimulate response from the reader.

For example, in the section Character and Integrity comes the following epigram: `There is such a thing as being so dedicated to fairness, as an elemental law, so rigidly a part of your being, that when you encounter someone who doesn't give it that much stock you are unfair to them.' From the section on Death: `SUICIDE. In order to kill yourself, the complete and total unknown has to be more attractive than the known.' From the section on Morality: `We ought to try to be good as we get older, not to impress anyone, or to be known as a certain kind of person, but to find peace with ourselves. To achieve a point of serenity and equilibrium so balanced it can last till eternity.'

These are but a few thoughts that fill the pages of this richly impressive collection. Read and grow, read and reflect, but read!

[Veritas Vincit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been fascinated by quotes and proverbs for years, and I've collected more quote collections and scribbled more sayings from literature, magazines, and public speeches than I care to count. Therefore, when I stumbled across the title of Phillips book, and then saw the extremely reasonable price, I couldn't resist. There is something about short sayings that manage to capture much larger concepts and enlighten us with just a few simple words. Most people take far too long to explain a complicated concept; there is no challenge in that. However, to explain the crux of an issue in an abbreviated, bite-sized, and memorable way....well, that is far more skillful. Phillips has collected some of the finest and most profound examples of epigrams from his impressive writing history, which happens to include writing about some of the masters of the "turn of phrase", including Hemingway and Fitzgerald, two of my favorite authors. Perhaps that is also why I enjoyed the book so much, occasionally stumbling over a quote or a saying that I had read or heard long ago, but had since forgotten. "Epigrams" will be a prominent new addition to my quote library, and will be returned to eagerly and often. The well-organized and topical breakdown of the quotes is also somewhat unique, and makes for an ideal reading choice no matter what mood you're in or on which topic of life you're seeking wisdom. A great collection.

[Robin Perron · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important thing for people to know when they pick up Epigrams by Larry W. Phillips is what an epigram is. Webster’s dictionary defines an epigram as “short and clever poem or saying”. An epigram is satirical in nature and deals with a single thought or event. One of the most famous epigrams is by Benjamin Franklin “Remember that time is money.”

Phillips book Epigrams is filled with his own personal epigrams which he categorizes by topic with the idea that the reader enjoy them in whatever order they choose. Phillips epigrams are on subjects that include Friends & Friendship, Illogic and Inconsistency, Conversation, Criticism, Evil, Character and Integrity, Love, and many more. All of the categories consist of many different thoughts for you as the reader to ponder. The section on character and integrity has an epigram that I was particularly fond of: “There is such a thing as being so dedicated to fairness, as an elemental law, so rigidly a part of your being, that when you encounter someone who doesn’t give it that much stock you are unfair to them.” The best thing about this book is that there is such a wide variety of topics that many readers can find something that speaks to them. Worth the read.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are like me then you looked at the title of this book and thought to yourself, what in the world is an epigram. I like to consider myself well read, but this is one type of writing that I was unfamiliar with. Since I like to try new things I looked up the term epigram in the Merriam Webster dictionary and found that it means “a terse, sage, or witty and often paradoxical saying,” and “a concise poem dealing pointedly and often satirically with a single thought or event and often ending with an ingenious turn of thought.” After finding out what the term meant I decided to give Epigrams by Larry W. Phillips a shot and I was glad that I did.

Phillips breaks his epigrams up into categories for the reader to enjoy. Readers of all types can enjoy witty sayings pertaining to Evil, Politics & World History, Phoniness, Youth & Adulthood, Victims, Happiness & Unhappiness, Death, Exercise & Health and so much more. The wide variety of topics ensures that there is something for most readers to connect to. This was a great read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved looking to the wisdom of others when I am struggling through a problem or a crisis of faith of any sort. Quotes have always been an interest of mine, as I think it's fascinating that certain words, said in certain ways, can somehow stand the test of time and be linked to one person's mind. They are short and succinct pockets of advice and wisdom, and yet they transcend time and cultures to communicate knowledge to us. My father suggested that I give this book a try, knowing my penchant for quotes, epigrams, sayings, and adages. He was right. I loved it, and I particularly liked that many of these epigrams were not ones I had come across before. The author does a great job of creating an admirable collection that I will certainly return to time and time again. We always have troubles, but the advice of others sometimes seems so much more relevant and powerful. This isn't something you read cover-to-cover; just pick it up and flip to a page; you're sure to find something that does you more good than you'd expect.