Friday, July 10, 2009

Brookner, Heger, Pamuck, Rice: Random Pithy Thoughts


Aphorism 109: "Know it by its absence!" Ann Rice

Full Quote: "In my book, the one thing he will not know is the intimacy of marriage. He said, 'I will know it by its absence.'" as quoted in the Times Picayune march 5, 2008 by Susan Larson in her review of "Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana."

Aphorism 108: "Give everything you can, but first learn to take!" Anita Brookner, The Debut

Full Quote: "'I will give you everything I can,' he said, reaching for hand and meeting her wide eyes. 'But first you must learn to take.'"

Aphorism 107: "Provide a counterpoint!" Susan Heger

Full Quote: "The sharp formal lines of the pond connect the house to its grounds and provide a counter point to the scattered stepping-stone path." from the Times-Picayune Living, May 2007, "Getting back to green."

Aphorism 106: "Take pleasure in observation!" Orham Pamuk

Full Quote: "His face was illuminated not by the nearby candle, but by the pleasure of observations itself." Chapter One, My Name is Red.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Sports Aphorisms Part One

Aphorism 105: "Playing hurt is a matter of pride, responsibility and loyalty!" Unnamed New Orleans Saints football player as quoted by Darrell Williams of Times-Picayune.

Aphorism 104: "Go out and play hard baseball!" Tony Pena, while serving as Manager of Kansas City Royals

Full Quote: "..he vows the team will play aggressively. 'I believe you go out and play hard baseball.' he says." As quoted by Peter Barrouguere, Times Picayune, May 16, 2002.

Aphorism 103: "Consider Portaging An Opportunity!" by Jerry Dennis, From a Wooden Canoe.

Full Quote: "The indefatigable Siqurd Olson...considered portaging an opportunity, to hear sounds that are lost on the water, see things that until then had been hidden." p. 25

Aphorism 102: "Be a Good Finisher!" by Brian Doyle

Full Quote: " I firmly believe life is not how you start, it's how you finish. I want to be a good finisher." as quoted by Bill Syken of Sport Illustrated, April 28, 2003, p 10. Doyle was a hero of the 1978 World Series.