There are two things I don’t understand about anonymous quotes. It’s not the sayings that stump me, but I simply don’t know why it is that they are considered quotes at all. If no one knows who wrote or said them, then aren’t they merely phrases? The other aspect I find curious is why no one claims them. If the words are attributed to no one, why can’t anyone step up and say it was their phrase in the first place. Who would know? There is no “Claim an Anonymous Quote Bureau.” (Go ahead and Google that, I’ll wait…)
Case in point, I was with Ted, my partner and a psychotherapist, when we saw a quote magnet (pictured below). He said, “It’s not unknown. That’s mine! I’ve been using it with patients for more than twenty years.”
Well Ted, I have decided, it’s yours. If no one steps up in the next 24-48 hours to fight it, then finders, keepers. Ted could also claim these as well, as I’m sure they’ve come up:
“All easy problems have already been solved.”
“Be kind to unkind people – they need it the most.”
“Don’t have a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.”
“Just because your doctor has a name for your condition doesn’t mean he knows what it is.”
“Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change.”
As a writer, I’ll claim these two myself, thank you very much:
“A metaphor is like a simile.”
“Write a wise saying and your name will live forever.”
Do you have a favorite anonymous quote you’d like to claim? Please share.
