Who Said That? - Quotes of Yesteryear [2] Quiz

Answer: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson's quote, generally seen as a call to aim high and set lofty goals for oneself, is definitely an aspirational one--the type of thing you'd see on a student agenda or an office poster. It's particularly interesting because it's an almost fantastical and lofty quote for a man who lived through the 19th century.

A prominent American essayist, poet, and philosopher, Emerson also had a lot to say about the Transcendentalist movement, being a key figure in its rise. His works emphasized the importance of individualism, self-reliance, and the beauty of nature and proceeded to inspire generations of poets, writers, and thinkers.

Answer: Calvin Coolidge

Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, served the nation from 1923 to 1929 following a term as Vice President to Warren G. Harding. Known for his quiet and frugal nature, he was nicknamed 'Silent Cal' during his tenure, though he gave tidbits of wisdom like these. Leading through the Roaring Twenties in the years shortly before the Great Depression, his presidency was marked by economic prosperity and low unemployment brought on by fiscal conservatism. Giving, rather than receiving, was his message here.

He passed away in 1933.

Answer: Charlotte Bronte

A quote from deep into Charlotte Bronte's classic novel, "Jane Eyre", this is said to reflect on the notion that prejudice can flourish if not removed through education and experience. An English novelist and poet, Bronte and her sisters, Emily and Anne, managed to make a series of works of literature that withstood the test of time. "Jane Eyre" was Charlotte's biggest success. Bronte would live the longest of her sisters, passing away in 1855 having revolutionized prose fiction.

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

The third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was a critical figure during the days of the American Revolution, acting as a U.S. Founding Father and a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. This quote, amongst his many key ones, was not an urging for people to rebel, but a reminder that the government would only be kept in check by the people who it served. Jefferson would act as President from 1801 to 1809 and create a strong legacy, so much so that he would become one of the four Presidents to appear on Mount Rushmore.

Answer: George Bernard Shaw

Living for nearly one century from the mid-19th to the mid-20th, Shaw became popular as a playwright for works like "Pygmalion", "Candida", and "Man and Superman". Writing more than sixty plays, he didn't shy from the possibility of making mistakes. As a result of his significant body of work he would be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 and for both his literary works and and his efforts to promote humanitarian causes.

Answer: Albert Schweitzer

A theologian, philosopher, and physician, Albert Schweitzer won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 while working in Africa. "Ethics," he claimed, "is nothing other than Reverence for Life." This complex statement highlighted an interconnectedness of all living things and a critical importance of treating all life with respect and compassion. In his view, the Western World lost touch with this key belief. The Nobel Prize Committee agreed.

Schweitzer's quote about optimism, pessimism, and wisdom here suggests that true wisdom involves seeing beyond surface-level differences and recognizing the underlying unity of all things. It's a timeless thought to consider the nuances in life.

Answer: Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, made this statement in an interview with "Rolling Stone" magazine in 1995, reflecting on the pressure that celebrities face to maintain their image and persona, even as they age. Jagger himself defied this expectation, continuing to perform and tour with the Rolling Stones well into his later years. Forming in 1962, the Rolling Stones would hit and pass their fifty-year mark still making albums (with four of the original members still touring), remaining one of the most celebrated rock bands of all time.

Answer: Socrates

A Greek philosopher who lived from 469/470 BC to 399/400 BC, Socrates would become known as a master of his craft, his teachings leading to the further theories of Plato. He's known best for his contributions to the field of ethics and his method of questioning, the Socratic method, which used clear logic to argue for truth.

This quote attributed in this question indicates the idea that youth have always been seen as rebellious and difficult to manage, even in ancient times. Whether or not the sentiment remains unchanged to this day is likely debatable. Plato, Socrates' student, would go on to ask "What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets, inflamed with wild notions."

Answer: Albert Einstein

A German-born theoretical physicist, Einstein developed the Theory of Relativity, one of the pillars of modern physics, but he was also chock full of lasting and non-scientific quotes as one of the brilliant minds of his generation. Widely considered to be one of the most influential scientists of the twentieth century, Einstein was also a pacifist and an advocate for world peace.

He spoke out against the use of nuclear weapons and was a member of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, formed in 1946 to warn the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons.

This, of course, was a year after the dropping of the atomic bomb.

Answer: Mark Twain

Knowing where your authors are from would help here; only Twain and Faulkner were American.

Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American writer, humorist, and entrepreneur who is best known for his great American novels like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Twain was also a prolific speaker and often used his wit and humor to comment on social issues of his time. This quote speaks to the importance of holding onto our dreams and aspirations, as they give our lives meaning and purpose.