CABINET OF CURIOSITIES
THINGS AMUSING

Ponderous Wonderous Confusing Miscellaneous Library

Witty Sayings Unlimited - Aphorisms and Epigrams
An "aphorism" is a very concise statement of a general truth or wise observation - often in a witty/clever/humorous way. An "epigram" is a very concise witty/humorous/clever statement or poem. Clearly, both terms are related and almost but not quite interchangeable. "A stitch in time saves nine" is true but not particularly humorous. "Drinking stops your thinking" is both true and more humorous.

For many reasons, both types are memorable and reuseable in an appropriate situation if you can think quickly enough. Example: When Dorothy Parker and a younger acquaintance were approaching a doorway, the younger said "Age before beauty" and Dorothy snapped back "And pearls before swine".

As an introduction to the art and artists, start with Jon Winokur's "The Big Curmudgeon: 2,500 Outrageously Irreverent Quotations and Interviews with World-Class Grumps and Cantankerous Commentators".

Inevitably, you will encounter the extremely prolific aphorist/epigramist extraordinare Oscar Wilde (19th century author and playwright). He wrote the following meta-aphorism (an aphorism describing aphorisms) ...
"Wit tis naught but nature to advantage dressed, what oft was thought but ne'er so well expressed."

Dumb, Dumber, Dumbest, Dead: The Darwin Awards
From the Amazon.com blurb, "Named after Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, The Darwin Awards pays homage to those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it". There are several books in this series - each one makes you wonder about your family, your in-laws, your neighbors and everyone you encounter at Heathrow, Charles de Gaulle and Ben Gurion.