Where do infamous quotes come from?

[flobadob]

I've read a lot of very moving and persuasive quotes from websites over the years, attributed to many different authors. What I was wondering is from where do these quotes arise? Are they taken from writings from years ago? Are they taken out of books? Are they relayed orally over time? How do they become part of everyday language?

[MarkRae]

Yes, that's correct.

[mike11111]

I think you have answered your own question. Quotes arise from their authors. (p.s. If I were you I would learn to distinguish between famous and infamous a.s.a.p. otherwise you might end up looking a right prat.)

[flobadob]

Sorry, I wasn't pacific enough. What I mean is, say there is a famous quote, attributed to Plato, from where did it arise. Did that one quote come fro a book of writings by Plato, or did he just say that one thing and it too off. Like now I could say "The Universe is But an Atom", but do I need to write a book incorporating that to have it recognised?

[MarkRae]

LOL! You're surely not suggesting that the OP looks a right prat for having asked such a stupid question...? :-)

[Mamyalynne]

I think if a quote becomes relevant to life or sums up a situation then it drops into folk lore.

[flobadob]

Eh? LOL? You sad boy.

[mike11111]

I shall make no further comment. One dictum my late mother firmly imprinted on my brain was, "It is wicked to mock the afflicted"

[MarkRae]

Indeed. More to be pitied than scolded....

[Mamyalynne]

Now you behave or you will be on naughty step

[flobadob]

Yes, but Marmalade, can I call you Jam for short?, what I'm axing is where the quote came from. Is it from a great literature work or develop over years and just be attributed to a writer?

[mike11111]

Ooohh! Mamy, Are you going to smack my botty? (Please say yes).

[MarkRae]

> what I'm axing

Ah - it all becomes clear...

[Mamyalynne]

A combination methinks.

Interesting you call me Marmalade or am I being suspicious ?

[Mamyalynne]

Mike bend over xxx

[mike11111]

Yes, but Marmalade, can I call you Jam for short?

As chat-up lines go, I have heard worse.

[Mamyalynne]

Is just that someone else has called me that, have no problem with it, I like Lime marmalade, am a bit tart of taste

[flobadob]

Mammymam, I only retort. It's soort of disappointing to know I'm unoriginal. However, could someome have a go at answering the question without being a smug stingray?

[Mamyalynne]

I thought I had and I feel there is no definitive answer, if someone over the years picks up and runs with a phrase or saying it becomes famous. In the same way modern TV progs lead to catchphrases and so it goes on...

[flobadob]

I'm talking about attributed sayings. As in Plato for example/ There may be 20 quotes. Are they from a greater work?

[bednobs]

ps while learning the difference betweeen infamous and famous, you might try looking up specific and pacific