I have heard that nothing gives an Author so great Pleasure, as to find his Works respectfully quoted by other learned Authors. – Benjamin Franklin, “Preface,” Poor Richard Improved, wording verified by Respect

Aphorisms are essentially an aristocratic genre of writing. The aphorist does not argue or explain, he asserts; and implicit in his assertion is a conviction that he is wiser and more intelligent than his readers. – W. H. Auden

I would fain coin wisdom,—mould it, I mean, into maxims, proverbs, sentences, that can easily be retained and transmitted. Would that I could denounce and banish from the language of men—as base money—the words by which they cheat and are cheated! – Joseph Joubert, translated from French

Always verify quotations! – Martin Joseph Routh, quoted in Catholic World: A Monthly Magazine of General Lit