Words of wisdom - my ten current favourite quotes
When I was a tween and teenager I just loved collecting quotes. Thought-provoking, clever, witty, shocking, belief-challenging, funny, I was unselectively eclectic in my words of wisdom gatherings.
I wrote them all down in a number of little note books (I’m not going to reveal how many I filled. I wouldn’t want you to think I was obsessive or anything), a couple of which have survived my various house moves and clear-out purges. I can’t quite bring myself to discard all the remnants of my childhood.
Not just a passing phase
Although, hands up, it turns out this interest in and enjoyment of a well-honed, pithy phrase wasn’t just a passing interest. Or one that I’m alone in enjoying.
Whilst I was the editor of Woman’s Weekly, we introduced a Quote of the Week to the opening, newsy, pages of the magazine. It was one of the most popular elements of that section.
And if you take a quick peek at the selection of books I’ve amassed for the enjoyment of visitors to my downstairs toilet (I mean, obviously they need entertaining whilst they’re…er…otherwise occupied), it turns out they’re all quote-related in some way. Funny that.
Who doesn’t need some entertainment when you’re otherwise occupied?
I also share a weekly helping of Words of Wisdom with my lovely newsletter subscribers. I’ll take it that I’ve had no correspondence suggesting otherwise, as a confirmation that they (you? If not, scroll down to the bottom of this post and fill in your email details.) enjoy them.
So in a not remotely subtle way of encouraging you to join the newsletter gang (which also gives you first dibs on the latest blog post, a tasty recipe, great tips for living in a more eco/planet-friendly way, a bit of chat and something to end your week with a laugh) or to simply entertain, inspire and give you pause for thought, here are a small selection of some of my current favourite words of wisdom.
Starting with one that I came across about the situation we’ve all been hurled into this year.
And then one that has helped me through some darker lockdown days
Something a bit less sombre now
Another age-related one that I relate to only too worryingly well
Now a couple from those loo books (well, I’d hate you to miss out just because you haven’t had the chance to rifle through them in person)
First up, one from the inestimable Winston Churchill
Oscar Wilde was known for his brilliant, biting wit and his, often uncomfortable, insights into the human condition
And talking about observers of life, I couldn’t leave out one of the greatest
And then, of course, there’s this one
One of my favourite modern-day quote heroines is Caitlin Moran. Here’s an example of why
And finally a quote from the brilliant poet Lemn Sissay, which he said when he was on Desert Island Discs (still one of the stand out best episodes I’ve ever heard) and which has stayed with me ever since.
Just like all the best quotes.
What is/are your favourite quote/s?
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