THOMAS CARLYLE 1795-1881

Scottish philosopher and satirical writer

Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.59

shaped like a barrel = SALPIFORM

PRINCE CHARLES b.1948

Most architects think by the inch, talk by the yard and should be kicked by the foot.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.58
horse-drawn carriage with folding top = LANDAU

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

Always use tasteful words. You may have to eat them.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.56

 instrument for measuring rainfall = UDOMETER

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

BILL COSBY b.1937

American comedian, author, actor and TV producer

A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.55

an obsession with France or the French = GALLOMANIA

ERICA JONG b.1942

American author and teacher

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT -  No.54
universal; affecting the majority of people in a region = PANDEMIC

JOHN'S QUIET CORNER 

has been updated today

http://john-quietcorner.blogspot.com

L.M. MONTGOMERY 1874-1942

Canadian author, best known for "Anne of Green Gables"

Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.53
to fantasize over something = FANTASTICATE

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- 

WILLIAM BLAKE 1757-1827

English poet and painter

I was angry with my friend;

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe;

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.52

to fluctuate in opinion = VACILLATE
 

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 1564-1616

English poet and playwright

Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot 

That it do singe yourself

[from Henry VIII]

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.51

fear of foreigners = XENOPHOBIA

KATHERINE MANSFIELD 1888-1923

New Zealand-born British writer of short fiction

Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it is good only for wallowing in. 

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.50

to criticize beyond sphere of one's knowledge = ULTRACREPIDATE

ROBERT GREEN INGERSOLL 1833-99

American Civil War veteran, lawyer and political leader

Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to help make others so. 

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.49

a book of customs, traditions and principles = CONSUETUDINARY

SOPHOCLES 497/6-406/5 BC

Ancient Greek writer of tragedies

Kindness will always attract kindness

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.48

state of contentment = EUPATHY

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. 

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT No.47

someone who unduly assumes air of superior wisdom = WISEACRE

 

The new series of JOHN'S QUIET CORNER begins today

http://john-quietcorner.blogspot.com

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE 1905-80

French philosopher, playwright, novelist and political activist

Everything has been figured out, except how to live.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.46

a group of hired applauders or sycophants = CLAQUE
 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANAIS NIN 1903-77

American author

The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery. 

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.45

fear of work = ERGOPHOBIA
 

The second series of JOHN'S QUIET CORNER begins on Friday - http://john-quietcorner.blogspot.com

MAYA ANGELOU b.1928

American author and poet

The main thing in one's own private world is to try to laugh as much as you cry.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.44

boat-shaped = SCAPHOID

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

SAMUEL JOHNSON 1709-84

English writer, poet and essayist

There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.43

a wine bottle with a capacity four times larger than an ordinary bottle. = JEROBOAM

BLOG NEWS:  A new series of "John's Quiet Corner" which ran from May 2009 until May 2011 begins on 8th November and will be updated every Friday. The address is http://john-quietcorner.blogspot.com

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JIMI HENDRIX 1942-70

American musician, singer and songwriter

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.42

the study of religious feasts = HEORTOLOGY
 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

DORIS LESSING b.1919

British novelist, poet, playwright and short story writer

Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself. 

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.41

The dimple in the cheek when one smiles = GELASIN  

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

VOLTAIRE 1694-1778

French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher

The only problem with common sense is that it is not very common.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.40

instrument for writing two lines of text at once = DIPLOGRAPH

FRANZ SCHUBERT 1797-1828

Austrian classical composer

Let us take men as they are, not as they ought to be. 

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.39

bassoon player = FAGOTTIST

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT 1832-88

American novelist, author of "Little Women."

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.38

a photograph of clouds = NEPHOGRAM
 

ANON

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.37

fear of mice = MURIPHOBIA

 -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

THOMAS A. EDISON 1847-1931

American inventor and businessman

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.36

 a grotesque face on a wall or on a door-knocker = MASCARON

C.S. LEWIS 1898-1963

Novelist and poet, author of "The Chronicles of Narnia"

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.35

     the study of butterflies and moths = LEPIDOPTEROLOGY
 

JACQUELINE ONASSIS 1929-94

the widow of USA President John F. Kennedy

Our dreams and goals are never completely realised. They are always there before our eyes, but always just slightly out of our reach. And so, as we strive to fulfil our vision, we must make the most of every living moment.

 THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.34

     sleep-walking = NOCTAMBULATION
 

 

MARK TWAIN 1835-1910

American author and humourist

 Old habits can't be thrown out the upstairs window. They have to be coaxed down the stairs, one step at a time.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.33

     collecting beer bottle labels = LABEORPHILY
 

SAMUEL JOHNSON 1709-84

English poet and essayist

Almost every man wastes part of his life in attempts to display qualities which he does not possess, and to gain applause which he cannot keep.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.32

knowledge of plants = PHYTOSOPHY

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW 1856-1950

Irish playwright and co-founder of the London School of Economics

The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.31

Someone who keeps entering competitions in newspapers etc. = COMPER

the new blog IN THE CHOCOLATE BOX STYLE has been updated today

http://inthechocolateboxstyle.blogspot.com

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE 1820-1910

British social reformer and founder of modern nursing

No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this - "devoted and obedient." This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.30

Someone who loves dogs = CYNOPHILIST

GAUTAMA BUDDHA c.563 BC-c.483 BC

Through zeal knowledge is gotten; through lack of zeal knowledge is lost.

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.29

a new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings  = PORTMANTEAU e.g. smog, motel, brunch

Have you visited the new blog IN THE CHOCOLATE BOX STYLE yet?

http://inthechocolateboxstyle.blogspot.com

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT 1884-1962

The First Lady of the USA 1933-45 

A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.

 -o0o- 

 

 THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.28

The doctrine that self-denial of the body permits spiritual enlightenment =  ASCETICISM

The new blog is now online - IN THE CHOCOLATE BOX STYLE

http://inthechocolateboxstyle.blogspot.com

ANON

Discretion is being able to raise your eyebrow instead of your voice.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.27

 one who writes epic poetry = EPOPOEIST

NEW - starting today - NEW

IN THE CHOCOLATE BOX STYLE

The term, usually derogatory, describes idealistic, sentimental paintings. Artists like Renoir were often derided for producing such works. The genre was particularly loved by the Victorians and my selection will appeal to many today.

http://inthechocolateboxstyle.blogspot.com

ALBERT EINSTEIN 1879-1955

German-born theoretical physicist who developed the general theory of relativity

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.26

abnormal fear of failure = KAKORRHAPHIOPHOBIA

WALT DISNEY 1901-66

American animator, producer and director

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.25

knowledge of palm-reading = CHIROSOPHY
 

NANCY ASTOR 1879-1964

Viscountess Astor, the first woman Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons

Real education should educate us out of self into something far finer - into a selflessness which links us with all humanity.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.24

a confused sound of voices = BABELDOM
 

FRANCIS of ASSISSI 1182-1226

Italian Catholic friar and preacher

Remember, we learn nothing by speaking.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.23

a word having the same derivation or form as another = ISONYM

 

MARIE BEYNON RAY 1919-????

American author and columnist

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.22

gossipy or flighty person = FLIBBERTIGIBBET

RON WILD

Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child. 

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.21

a verse or poem of eight lines = OCTASTICH
 

AESOP c.620-564 BC

Ancient Greek story-teller

No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.20
A fingerprint - DACTYLOGRAM

BILL COSBY b.1937

American actor, author and television producer

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone.

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.19

Someone who studies crop circles - CEREOLOGIST

HELEN KELLER 1880-1968

American deafblind author and political activist

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted island, or opened a new heaven in the human spirit.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.18
To kiss warmly - DEOSCULAT

Danish Proverb

A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.

-o0o- 

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.17

the study of snakes - OPHIOLOGY

C.S. LEWIS 1898-1963

Belfast-born novelist, poet, academic and Christian apologist 

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.16
To wet or moisten - IMBRUE
 

IVAN PANIN 1855-1942

Russian-born American numerologist. 

For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.15

To interlock, like the fingers of clasped hands - INTERDIGITATE

MARIE CURIE 1867-1934

French-Polish physicist and chemist

We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained. 

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.14

Fear of thunder and lightning = BRONTOPHOBIA

RICHARD PRYOR 1940-2005

American comedian and actor

Two things people throughout history have had in common are hatred and humour. I am proud that I have been able to use humour to lessen people's hatred.

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT  No.13
fear of certain places or situations - TOPOPHOBIA

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI 1830-94

English poet

Better by far that you should forget and smile, than that you should remember and be sad.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - NO.12

    one who wastes his energy on trifles = QUIDDLE

RANDY PAUSCH 1960-2008

American professor of computer science

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT No.11

   humorous theory that inanimate objects display spiteful behaviour towards humans - RESISTENTIALISM

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

BERTRAND RUSSELL 1872-1970

British philosopher, mathematician, historian and social critic

No rules however wise, are a substitute for affection and tact.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT No. 10

a newborn child - A NEONATE

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANN BRASHARES b.1967

American writer of young adult fiction

Maybe the truth is, there's a little bit of a loser in all of us. Being happy isn't having everything in your life perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT  No.9

speaking learnedly, e.g. an expert on a particular subject  - DOCTILOQUENT
 

  -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

 

WINSTON CHURCHILL 1874-1965

Prime Minister of Britain 1940-45 and 1951-55

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT No.8

an obsolete, out-of-fashion belief or theory = WASM

 

SARAH BERNHARDT 1844-1923

French stage and early film actress

One should hate very little, because it's extremely fatiguing. One should despise much, forgive often, and never forget. Pardon does not bring with it forgetfulness; at least not for me.

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT  No.7

a small group of people, e.g. a discussion or literary group = CENACLE

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Swedish Proverb

To dare is to lose your foothold for a moment; not to dare is to lose yourself.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT  No.6

    a cauldron of boiling water used during trials by ordeal = ALFET

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

AMELIA EARHART 1897-1939

American aviation pioneer

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT  No.5

one who firmly sticks to an opinion = OPINIASTER

OSCAR WILDE 1854-1900

Irish writer and poet

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.

-o0o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT   No.4

intense and persistent fear of the sea = THALASSOPHOBIA

DORIS LESSING b.1919

British novelist, poet and playwright

"What matters most is that we learn from living."

-o-0-o-

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.3

government by white people = ALBOCRACY

LAO-TZU

Philosopher in Ancient China, believed to have been the founder of Taoism.

Live a simple life, be free, be yourself and be close to nature.
Do these things and you will be wise and happy

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.2

people who bite their nails = ONYCHOPHAGISTS

PABLO PICASSO 1881-1973

Spanish painter, sculptor, ceramicist, printmaker and stage designer

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

THERE'S A WORD FOR IT - No.1
a place where principal roads or streets intersect, especially in a town where four roads meet =

CARFAX (Latin quadrifurcus, four-forked)

ELVIS PRESLEY 1935-77

American singer, musician and actor

-o0o-

Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it’s not going to go away

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

Knowledge is like a garden. If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.

-o0o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

Let’s Not Blow it

Homer Groening 1919-96

There are millions of years in the past,
There are millions of years ahead of us,
And here we are
Right in the middle

Then there's space,
There are miles and miles of space in all directions,
And here we are
Right in the middle

This is a big deal
Being in the middle of time and space,
It sort of makes your eyes water.

We'd never find this moment again
In a million years.
This is our world,
Let's not blow it.

 -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ALBERT CAMUS 1913-60

French author, journalist and philosopher

-o0o-

All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning.  Great works are often born on a street corner or in a restaurant's revolving door.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR 1908-86

French writer, intellectual, political activist and feminist

-o0o-

Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.

 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MUHAMMAD ALI b.1942

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, American former professional boxer

-o0o-

Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MOTHER TERESA 1910-97

Albanian born, Indian Roman Catholic religious Sister

-o0o-

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are truly endless.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

DAVID LLOYD GEORGE 1863-1945

British Liberal politician, Prime Minister of  United Kingdom 1916-22

-o0o-

Don't be afraid to take a big step when one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small steps.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

HENRY van DYKE 1852-1933

American author, educator and clergyman

-o0o-

Use what talent you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

LISA WINGATE

American journalist, magazine columnist, inspirational speaker and author

-o0o-

The hardest thing about the road not taken is that you never know where it might have led. 
 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

J. R. R. Tolkien

DOROTHY PARKER 1893-1967

American poet, critic and satirist

-o0o-

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ARNOLD BENNETT 1867-1931

English novelist and journalist

-o0o-

Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

ARISTOTLE 384 BC - 322 BC

Greek philosopher and polymath

-o0o-

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU 1889-1964

The first Prime Minister of India

-o0o-

The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANNA QUINDLEN b.1952

American author and journalist

-o0o-

After all those years as a woman hearing "not thin enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough, not this enough, not that enough," almost overnight I woke up one morning and thought, "I'm enough."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

It's not the minutes spent at the table that put on weight, it's the seconds.

-o0o-

Have you visited "My Own Selection of British Art of the 19th Century" yet?

http://myownselection.blogspot.com

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

SYDNEY J. HARRIS 1917-86

American journalist

-o0o-

Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.

THE SATURDAY POEM

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Emily Dickinson 1830-86

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

WILLIAM BLAKE 1757-1827

English poet and painter

-o0o-

A truth that's told with bad intent

Beats all the lies you can invent.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Admiral GRACE HOPPER 1906-92

American computer scientist and USA Navy rear admiral

-o0o-

The most damaging phrase in the language is - "It's always been done that way."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

CHARLOTTE BRONTE 1816-55

English novelist and poet, the author of Jane Eyre

-o0o-

It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.  

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

THOMAS A. EDISON 1847-1931

American inventor and businessman

-o0o-

When you have exhausted all the possibilities, remember this - you haven’t! 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW 1807-82

American poet and educator

-o0o-

Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak. 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

BLOG NEWS - "The Eternal Venus" will have shown 180 paintings by Friday and will come to an end then. "My Own Selection of Pre-Raphaelite Paintings" which ran from June 2010 to June 2011 returns on Saturday 7th with a new title "My Own Selection of British Art of the 19th Century" but using the same address - http://myownselection.blogspot.com

-o=0=o-

NANCY, VISCOUNTESS ASTOR 1879-1964

The first woman MP in the British House of Commons

-o0o-

One reason I don't drink is that I want to know when I am having a good time. 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-