Aphorism, n.: A concise, clever statement you don’t think of until too late. – James Alexander Thom

Most of the noted literary men have indulged in the prudent habit of selecting favorite passages for future reference. – Charles F. Schutz, Sayings: Proverbs, Maxims, Mottoes, 1915

Only roam on, therefore, all fearless, in the many garden of romantic chivalrous poesy, which drawing within its circle all that is glorious and inspiring, gave itself but little concern as to where its flowers originally grew. – C.O. Müller (Karl Otfried Müller), Introduction to a Scientific System

To be amused by what you read — that is the great spring of happy quotations. – C.E. Montague (1867–1928), “Quotation”