Peter's Quotations: Ideas for Our Times

by Laurence J. Peter

From the author of the multimillion-selling The Peter Principle , and The Peter Prescription , here is a timeless collection of some of history's greatest and best-expressed thoughts. Organized alphabetically by subject -- from Ability to Zoos -- and completely cross-refernced by related categories, Peter's Quotations is a joy to use. Packed with many unusual and little-known quotations of great wit, Dr. Peter's reference book is not only fun to read -- an idea mine for writers, students, and public speakers -- but it is also relevant to the sometimes overwhelming problems of today. Peter's Quotations is priceless.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Literature, Writing

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Dr. Laurence J. Peter was an educator and "hierarchiologist," best known to the general public for the formulation of the Peter Principle.

Reviews

[Gu Kun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teeming with quotes that bespeak the wit and/or wisdom of past (especially the twentieth) centuries. Every page makes you sit back and think (or grin or giggle). Great for embellishing your speeches, on any subject. A treasure trove.

[Writemoves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of aphorisms and nuggets of wisdom. Some of my favorite aphorisms are listed below:

The equal toleration of all religions…is the same thing as atheism. —Pope Leo XIII
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The only foes that threaten America are the enemies at home, and these are ignorance, superstition, and incompetence. —Elbert Hubbard
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If modern civilized man had to kill the animals he eats, the number of vegetarians would rise astronomically. —Christian Morgenstern
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Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote. —George Jean Nathan
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The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of great moral crises maintain their neutrality. —Dante Alighieri (1265–1321)
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An autobiography usually reveals nothing bad about its writer except his memory. —Franklin P. Jones
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If Jack’s in love, he’s no judge of Jill’s beauty. —Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
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The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. —H. L. Mencken
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Every man prefers belief to the exercise of judgment. —Seneca (4 B.C.–A.D. 65)
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The inspiration of the Bible depends upon the ignorance of the gentleman who reads it. —Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–1899)
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The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them. —Mark Twain
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To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting. —Edmund Burke (1729–1797)
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Under capitalism man exploits man; under socialism the reverse is true. —Polish Proverb
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Committee—a group of the unfit, appointed by the unwilling, to do the unnecessary. —Stewart Harrol
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Socialism is nothing but the capitalism of the lower classes. —Oswald Spengler

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy collections of quotations, but a few things about Peter's Quotations vexed me. Here they are.

1. Laurence J. Peter apparently thinks I need his commentary along with the quote. I really don't, and it is a confusing and annoying format for a quotation collection. It's not even historical context or interesting things about the quote; Peter just wants to interject something (not really) witty or kind of (ill-) revenant after the quote.

2. The topics are organized alphabetically, but the authors within each topic are not even if it would make more sense and be more ascetically pleasing that way. It just frustrated me.

3. Several of the quotes are repeated in different topics, which makes for a much longer read. Either narrow down topics or pick one category per quote.

4. Some of the topics felt like fillers so that there would be a topic with that letter.

5. Quote selection could have been better. Some of the quotes were too long, many of them didn't fit the topic they were put under, and some were just sexist, racist, and/or ignorant.

[Larkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

As another reviewer has more articulately stated, the compiler/author kept inserting his ego into the quotations, which was vexing. Also, there were duplications; he should have selected one category best befitting each quotation.

[LInda L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly, I have not read every page, but the ones I HAVE read make me SO agree with Lola regarding the author's compulsion to comment on almost everything. And unfortunately, he isn't funny. I guess HE thinks he is, but no. Not a bit. Get over yourself, Laurence.

[Don Male]

Finished

[MR M · Rating 3 out of 5]

very helpful

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better quote books I've ever read.

[Harley Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise, funny and wise

[Don Gubler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sayings with a twist and a bit of humor.

[Helen Geng]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14546635