Quote of the day, March 1

Antonio Gramsci, on truth

“To tell the truth is revolutionary.”

Quote of the day, Feb. 29

John Hiatt, “Perfectly Good Guitar”

“There ought to be a law with no bail
Smash a guitar and you go to jail
With no chance for early parole
You don’t get out till you get some soul.

Quote of the day, Feb. 28

William Safire, on editing

“If you re-read your work, you can find on re-reading a great deal of repetition can be avoided by re-reading and editing.”

Quote of the day, Feb. 27

E.L. Doctorow, on writers

“Writers are not just people who sit down and write. 

Quote of the day, Feb. 26

James A. Michener, on re-writing

“I have never thought of myself as a good writer.

Quote of the day, Feb. 25

Paul Farmer, on social justice through medicine

“In a world riven by inequity, medicine could be viewed as social justice work.”

Quote of the day, Feb. 24

David Cameron, on the deaths of journalists in Syria and the function of the press

“Members of the House [of Commons] will also have seen the reports that the talented and respected foreign correspondent of the Sunday Times, Marie Colvin, has been killed from the bombing in Syria.

Quote of the day, Feb. 23

Wilfred Owen, on the poet’s charge

“All a poet can do today is warn.

Quote of the day, Feb. 22

British Education Secretary Michael Gove, on freedom of the press

“Politicians should recognise that we have nothing to gain and everything to lose from fettering the press, which has helped keep us honest in the past and ensured that the standards of debate are higher in this country than in other jurisdictions.”

Quote of the day, Feb. 21

Jimmy Carter, on human rights

“Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life.”