The Homework Helper: Quotations
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Quotations
As an award-winning writer, I have always loved quotations. Whether writing for newspapers, magazines or commercial accounts, over the years I've become known for finding and sourcing quotations from the famous and not-so-famous. I'm offering my assistance as "The Homework Helper" with an emphasis on "help." All students -- young and old alike -- need a guiding hand once in a while. However, I encourage each of you to really take the time to read what I have written. In other words, don't just cut and paste my words into your homework. When I give links to other writers, go and read their words, too. Then when you write your answers make them original by using words of your own. Utilize as many references as you can find when writing your paper, and don't forget to give credit where credit is due. Teachers and professors have a way of knowing when you have copied or plagiarized someone else's work. In my book, honesty is the best policy. Good luck, and email me if you have a question about a specific quotation. I'll answer them as quickly as I can.
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General Karl von Clausewitz (1780-1831): On War
"In such dangerous things as war the errors which proceed from a spirit of benevolence are the worst." --General Karl von Clausewitz (1780-1831), author of the magnum opus, "Vom Kriege" or "On War"
Explanation: As a general in the Prussian Army, Clausewitz fully understood the seriousness of war and that the business of war is to disarm your enemy by destroying its military forces. Therefore, if a country and its leaders think they can simultaneously do good will make some of the worst mistakes possible. In other words, war is war.In an article about war, Professor Paul Eidelberg cited the entire quote:"Philanthropists may readily imagine there is a skillful method of disarming and overcoming an enemy without causing great bloodshed, and that this is the proper tendency of the art of war. However plausible this may appear, still it is an error which must be extirpated; for in such dangerous things as war, the errors which proceed from a spirit of benevolence are the worst."Prof. Eidelberg gives this example: "Perhaps from humane and political considerations, the United States failed to heed this principle in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The result was protracted conflict and greater loss of life on both sides, as would surely have occurred had the U.S. invaded Japan in World War II rather than use the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki."Many believe a similar case can be made regarding the continuing presence of the United States in Iraq.To read Prof. Eidelberg's entire paper, click here.
Vermont Saying: Might Rain
The 1998 novel, "The Woody," by Peter Lefcourt is a satire on sex and politics in the nation's capital featuring a philandering but charismatic senator from Vermont.
Mr Adams: "Another piece of pie?"
Woody: "I'm afraid not, Mr. Adams. I've got to run."
Mr. Adams: "Might rain, huh?"
Woody looked out the window. The sun was poking its way through the cloud cover. It didn't look to him like it was going to rain. But then he remembered what "might rain" meant in Vermont, smiled, and reached for the check.
Vermonters were among the first to come up with random, unexpected and irrelevant phrases.
When I was an editor up in "The Northeast Kingdom" during the seventies, I lived in an old farm house that had been turned into apartments. An elderly couple lived on the first floor and they used the "might rain" phrase on me from time to time. Sometimes when I was asked to come in for a cup of coffee, I would politely decline by offering up an excuse such as cleaning my apartment. Since I was a notorious clutter queen, Mr. Merrill's response was always "might rain."
In the morning, they would leave their door open so we could wish each other a good day. We would chat for a few minutes and on my way out the door I usually said, "See you later." Their response was always, "Hope so."
Vermont proverb: Don't talk unless you can improve the silence.
Vermont nickname for Massachusetts residents: flatlanders
Native Vermonter's nickname for Williamstown, VT: Billsville
Other Vermont sayings: "I didn't know but what..." "I was just a-wonderin..."
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