Quotable Short Sun

Jerry Friedman · 15 Jun 2001, 09:01 · from whorl-v0012.mbox · original

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From: Jerry Friedman <jerry_friedman at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: (whorl) Quotable Short Sun
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001 09:01:00
Message-ID: <whorl-v0012-0838 at digest.urth.net>
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--- Doug Eigsti <dougeigsti at yahoo.com> wrote:
> One of the reasons I read Gene Wolfe is for the
> great
> lines. Here then are some to roll off your tongue.
> Again.
>=20
> THE QUOTABLE SHORT SUN
> page.paragraph (- indicates from the bottom)
>=20
> ON BLUE=E2=80=99S WATERS
>=20
> 122.-2 Sometimes it is better to make haste slowly.

Augustus Caesar, "Festina lente" (make hast slowly).

> 185.2 If you wish to do a thing again, you must do
> it slowly.

;-)

...

> 234.3 A closed mouth catches nae flies.

A European proverb.  Prosper Merrimee cites a Romany
version in "Carmen" (a recommended story--the long
version has the weirdest ending I've ever read), and
translates it into French as "En close bouche n'entre
point mouche", but I'll bet it's much older.

> 237.-1 The eyes see what the mind expects.

An old one--anybody know an original source?

> 257.2 We are every bit as human as you are, whatever
> that means.

*smile*

...

> 381.-2=20
> I=E2=80=99m old now and soon must leave you,
> But a fairer maid I ne=E2=80=99er did see.
> Curse me not that I bereave you,
> I cannot stay, no more would she.
> These fair young girls live to deceive you,=20
> Sad experience teaches me.

One of Wolfe's best, I think, though his supposed folk
songs always strike me as too smooth.

>=20
> IN GREEN=E2=80=99S JUNGLES
>=20
> 18.-6 A wise man never harms another unless he
> intends to harm.

"A gentleman is one who never gives offense
unintentionally."  Don't remember the source.

> 24.-2 Experience is a wonderful teacher, but one
> whose lessons come too late.

I feel fairly sure this is a quotation from somewhere.

> 32.2 If work=E2=80=99s a good thing, why don=E2=80=99t the rich take
> it?

Ditto (not quite as sure).

...

> 155.-4 At least I know how little I know.

Ditto.

...
> 247.3 Interest, excitement and heroics enough for
> every quill in Oreb=E2=80=99s wings.

Good thing birds molt.

...
=20
> RETURN TO THE WHORL
...

Jerry Friedman

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