# The coolest quote you know. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 4, 2002, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857 "2002-04-04T20:54:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/81 "2002-04-10T11:45:31Z")
“History is written by winners and studied by losers.” --Mr. Hell ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/82 "2002-04-10T11:52:05Z")
There’s a nice one in my sig. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/83 "2002-04-10T14:34:59Z")
A couple of my favorites have been mentioned already, top of which is “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” but there are a couple of others I like… “Don’t let the past remind you of what you are not now.” - Stephen Stills “The poets have mournfully sung That Death takes the innocent young, The rolling in money, The screamingly funny, And those who are very well hung.” - WH Auden ---
**Author:** ![doyle420](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@doyle420](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doyle420)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/84 "2002-04-10T15:54:22Z")
(paraphrase) “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let the world think you are a fool than to open you mouth and remove all doubt” Don’t remember where I heard this one, but I’ve always like it. Anyone know the source? ---
**Author:** ![dalovindj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dalovindj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalovindj)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/85 "2002-04-10T17:33:02Z")
> [@](#): > > "I wanna know, Ramona am I the only one tell me? > > She said “You’re not the only one, but your the best Bradley” > > ~ Bradley Nowell, Sublime I always liked that. I’ll settle for being the best if I can’t be the only one. Some others: “There are more things in heaven and earth than in either of our philosophies.” “Actors - they make $1.00 and spend $1.25” “It aint no fun if the homies can’t have none” “Racism is schism on the serious tip, if you don’t believe me then I’ll go and bust your lip!” “The bars are always open and the time is always right, and if god’s good word goes unspoken, then the music goes all night.” “Rock me tonight for old times sake.” “Hey yo one, two, three - it’s kinda dangerous to be an MC. They shot Tupac and Biggie - too much violence in hip-hop” “They are old, and we are young, and while we’re young yes we’re gonna have some fun.” “Papa always told me son you be hard workin man, and momma she always told me ‘Son, you do the best you can.’. Then one day I met a man that came to me and said - hard work good and hard work fine - but first take care of head.” “I just got mistaken for a pimp _by_ a pimp.” DaLovin’ Dj ---
**Author:** ![elfin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/258eb7/32.png) [@elfin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfin)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/86 "2002-04-10T17:56:11Z")
“He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt…” -Joseph Heller, _Catch-22_ ---
**Author:** ![pbrtallboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f475e1/32.png) [@pbrtallboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbrtallboy)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/87 "2002-04-10T18:35:15Z")
“I wouldn’t suck your lousy dick if I was suffocating and there was oxygen in your balls!” --Mink Stole as Taffy Davenport in John Waters’ _Female Trouble_. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/88 "2002-04-10T18:55:54Z")
“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.” -Admiral Hyman G. Rickover ---
**Author:** ![Mielikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Mielikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mielikki)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/89 "2002-04-10T19:09:20Z")
This whole poem about Love from Khalil Gibran- here’s part of it: When love beckons to you follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself. He threshes you to make you naked. He sifts you to free you from your husks. He grinds you to whiteness. He kneads you until you are pliant; And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast. Also: Be excellent to each other! -Bill and Ted ---
**Author:** ![WavyDavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3da27b/32.png) [@WavyDavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WavyDavy)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/90 "2002-04-10T19:56:09Z")
I’ll bookend this thread with one more, purported to be from Dorothy Parker… “Brevity is the soul of lingerie” Dave ---
**Author:** ![lauramarlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a5b964/32.png) [@lauramarlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lauramarlane)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/91 "2002-04-11T18:15:25Z")
If you want to get laid, go to college, but if you want an education, go to the library. --Frank Zappa I’m a librarian–I just had to post my favorite library quote! ---
**Author:** ![katiekilldare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@katiekilldare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katiekilldare)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/92 "2002-04-11T18:30:36Z")
_I’m not a snob - ask anyone. Well, anyone who matters._ - Simon LeBon of Duran Duran. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/93 "2002-04-11T18:38:53Z")
\*\*Trust in Allah, but tie your camel \*\* Arabian Proverb. \*\*You are a victim once. After that you are just volunteering \*\*Naomi Judd \*\*I am living so far beyong my income that it may be almost said to be living apart \*\* e e cummings. ( my one snooty lit quote) \*\*Right now my life is just one learning experience after another. By the end of the week I should be a genius. \*\* Jeannette Osais I have no idea who she is. \*\*Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have \*\* Doris Mortman I have no idea who this woman is either. And then my personal favorites: \*\*If you’re not a part of the solution, there’s good money to be made in prolonging the problem. \*\* \*\*The best leaders inspire by example. When that is not an option, but force and intimidation work pretty well too. \*\* \*\*Idiocy: Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups \*\* \*\*You can get by on charm for about 15 minutes. After that, you better know something. \*\* H. Jackson Brown And then there is my sig. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/94 "2002-04-11T18:40:26Z")
Oooops. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/95 "2002-04-11T19:02:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*Oooops. \*\* Is that a good “oops” or a bad “oops”?–Will Smith’s character in _Independence Day_ ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/96 "2002-04-11T19:16:17Z")
The first, it turns out, I had for years, but really appreciated after **Nymysys** mentioned it some time back and brought it fresh to memory.[ul]You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. ``` - Desiderata[/ul]This second one is much better if you can **[see the picture](http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/pale_blue_dot.html)**that goes with it: that of the Earth from way, way, *waaaaaaaaaaay* out in space, indistinguishable from the other planets or the stars in the sky (a Voyager 1 (2?) photo.) ``` [ul]The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors, so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager the are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagine self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. -Carl Sagan From “Pale Blue Dot: A vision of the Human Future in Space,” Random House, 1994[/ul] They both give me pause and help me re-center, realize the true scope of life and existence…for a while, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/97 "2002-04-11T19:22:39Z")
“Great nations built from the bones of the dead, With mud and straw, blood and sweat, You know your worth when your enemies Praise your architecture of aggression.” - **Megadeth** ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/98 "2002-04-11T20:02:04Z")
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. And in that space lies our power to choose.” - Viktor Frankl ---
**Author:** ![Dunmurry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d2c977/32.png) [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/99 "2002-04-29T10:53:33Z")
“One thing you can be sure of, you can’t be sure of anything”. “The first step to knowing who we are is knowing where we are and when we are”. ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857/100 "2002-04-29T11:53:30Z")
**I’m a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class, especially since I rule.** Randal Graves in Clerks, written by Kevin Smith. **You want a part of me? Well I’m not selling cheap.** from the song Celebrity Skin by Hole, lyrics by Courtney Love [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coolest-quote-you-know/101857.md?page=4)