Ken Hurley
Faith?!‽ Faith is something that nobody in his right mind would believe! – Archie Bunker
Music is what makes poetry lyrical. – kgh
During “March Madness”, I root for April. – kgh
When you bury the hatchet, be sure to bury it where it will do the most good. – kgh
We are all on the spectrum. – kgh
Philosophers tend to complicate simple concepts. – kgh
Whenever anyone tells you, “I’m only going to say this once!” Don’t believe them. – kgh
Childlike and Childish describe different adults. One playful, open, and truthful. The other childish. – kgh
Impulse is the enemy of success; yet a vibrant, rhythmical pulse is why we dance. – kgh
Don’t expect applause. Unless your work is entertainment. Even then, don’t expect applause. – kgh
It is the naps you don’t take that you regret most. – kgh
If you don’t vote, you surrender to those who do vote. That’s not rebellious. Remember, VOTE WHILE CONSCIOUS! – kgh
America: Louder than any other country!!! – kgh
Inhumanity is human. – kgh
Why don’t hunters hang the heads of their dead dogs on the wall? – kgh
Is uncured bacon sick? – kgh
Chewing the fat with someone is actually disgusting. – kgh
The “free market” is for those who have a few dollars to spend. – kgh
I support the 3rd Amendment! – kgh
We need ‘THE ‘CRAZIES’! They’re a big reason we get involved. – kgh
We’re all full of shit. That’s why we poop daily! – kgh
You’re allowed to discriminate in America as long as Religious Liberty is your excuse. Remind me, what is liberating about religion? – kgh
We don’t need to know the meaning of life for life to have meaning. – kgh
Today I accidentally bumped into a Trump supporter. So, I backed up and did it again. – kgh
What kind of city would have a downtown but not an uptown? – kgh
Stay away from negative people. Negative people have a problem for every solution. – Albert Einstein? Or who?
I’m trying to think but nothing happens. – Curly
Rudyard Kipling wrote in his 1893 collection of short stories titled Many Inventions, and I quote, “He wrapped himself in quotations – as a beggar would enfold himself in the purple of Emperors.”
When used effectively, quotations offer an unparalleled ability to encapsulate complex emotions, ideas, and experiences into a few succinct words. They can inspire, console, and provoke, leaving an indelible imprint on those who read, hear, and speak them.
Quotes can also devolve into the public domain of trite and cliche platitudes which become overused figurative language. Once upon a time we thought “pretty as a picture,” “old as the hills,” “sharp as a tack,” and “smart as a whip” were cutting edge and clever ways to turn a phrase.
As found in Luke 12:48 as updated, rewritten, edited, and fabricated by the King James team, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more.” A similar notion but more concisely put was told to Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility.” And so it is with the proper use of quotes.
Misquotes and misattributions are the result of human error and sometimes the intentional dissemination of misinformation through various mediums. Misquotes can alter the meaning and intent of the original quote, leading to a distorted understanding of the author’s message.
For example, humans often misquote Thomas Jefferson when he wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This famous sentence from the Declaration of Independence is often misquoted as, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by our Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” To substitute “our” for “their” greatly alters the intended meaning. The parisology of “their Creator” leaves the interpretation up to the reader as to what type of creator there might be, including the possibility that their Creator is no more than just mom and dad. Which is, of course, sufficient. Jefferson, as the author, actually separated himself from the group to which he was referring when he wrote these words, “they are endowed by their Creator.” He could have written, “we are endowed by our creator.” But he didn’t. The use of “they” leaves open to each individual all possibilities regarding a belief system. Which, of course, would also include the rights of disbelievers, skeptics, atheists, and agnostics. To misquote with “our” makes the quote a presumptive collective of believers by the obfuscation of the intentional vagueness of the original quote.
Humans on social media have exacerbated misquotes and intentional disinformation, by carelessly failing to verify the text and attribution. False and misattributed quotes have become rampant, leading to a dilution of the original source’s impact and a blurring of historical accuracy. Since information can be propagated at the speed of light, the importance of fact-checking the content and an accurate citation is essential.
Furthermore, quotes can be manipulated and weaponized to serve certain agendas, leading to their misuse or claims of misuse. The extraction of quotes out of context or the deliberate misinterpretation of their meaning can be employed to deceive, manipulate, or incite discord.
Then there is Trump, who said on March 16, 2024, “If I don’t get elected it’s gonna be a bloodbath. A bloodbath for the country and that’s the least of it … If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country.” Trump subsequently told us that his words were taken out of context. Do you believe him when he says his words were taken out of context? I do not.
An example of a misattribution of a quote is, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” as if it were said by Voltaire. The statement was actually made by the writer Evelyn Beatrice Hall in her biography of Voltaire, where she summarized his beliefs. Despite its misattribution, the quote continues to be cited as Voltaire’s, which perpetuates the error.
Why are quotes valuable? The answer is found in their ability to transcend time, culture, and language. A well-crafted quote possesses the power to resonate with individuals from disparate backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and understanding. They can serve as beacons of hope, embolden movements for change, and provide solace in times of adversity.
When quotes are used responsibly, they can become instruments of enlightenment and empathy, fostering constructive dialogue and amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. The essence of a meaningful quote lies not only in the arrangement of words, but in the depth of emotion and experience it encapsulates. Since I mentioned “the arrangement of words,” I would like to attribute all the words you are reading now to the dictionary. I simply rearranged them.
I am reminded of the profound impact of a quote from Bob Marley, who said, “The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.” This quote transcends its origins and resonates with individuals across generations, imparting wisdom and solace in the face of human vulnerability and resilience.
The realm of quotations spans human experience, wisdom, and inspiration. While misquotations, misattributions, and the misuse of quotes present significant challenges, their value remains undiminished. It is incumbent upon us, as stewards of words, punctuation, and quotations, to approach the utilization of “quotes” with discernment, integrity, and respect for their origins. For in the delicate dance of words (“Oh, jeez, ‘delicate dance of words’, really‽” said I) lies the potential to shape minds, heal hearts, and ignite enduring change, and an occasional giggle.
But, don’t quote me.
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