Who Said That? - Quotes of Yesteryear [3] Quiz

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

The third President of the United States, little encapsulates the idea of strong work ethic quite like Jefferson's adage here, which implies that success comes to those who seek it. Known for his intellect, Jefferson happened to be a prolific writer and inventor, having been credited with inventing the swivel chair and the polygraph machine (not to be confused with the lie detector).

A Founding Father, he was a key figure in the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

Known for his military tactics and strategies, Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the world leaders who's managed to maintain a name for himself over the centuries for his sheer success. The quote perfectly encapsulates his approach to warfare; by allowing his enemies to make mistakes, he was able to capitalize on their weaknesses and lead the charge in decades of war. After his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, he was captured and sent into exile on the remote island of Saint Helena. Perhaps he made the mistake himself.

Naturally, this quote has since been applied to various fields beyond just warfare, especially business and politics, as it's simply a reminder to let your opposition fail on their own.

Answer: Winston Churchill

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom not only during World War II, but for most of the 1950s as well, Winston Churchill is perhaps best-equipped to provide the reminder to persevere through difficult times and not to give up. Churchill was known for eloquent and inspiring speeches befitting his role of leadership during his time in office. Churchill was also a prolific writer and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his numerous works, including histories, biographies, and memoirs.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi

This quote, often attributed to Gandhi, is a powerful statement about perseverance and eventual success. A political and spiritual leader in India who played a key role in the country's struggle for independence from British rule, Gandhi was known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, both of which subsequently inspired many others around the world.

His actions (and inactions in some cases) led India to become the nation it is today, and his name is recognized almost anywhere around the globe.

Answer: Albert Einstein

For a man committed to scientific discovery and complex understandings of the world around us, Einstein's take here was quite the concise one. Essentially, his claim is to say that our understanding of the world around us is shaped by our thoughts and minds, and that understanding may not be true as a result. This idea ties strongly into his work on the nature of space and time, which challenged traditional notions of reality.

Einstein was, of course, the theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity and is widely considered one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.

Answer: Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, made this statement claiming that he had a lack of knowledge in music in general, though one can presume they need to take this as a joke. Despite this presumed lack of understanding, he became one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century with numerous hits in the pop, rock, and country spheres. Elvis' unique style, blending country, blues, and rockabilly, revolutionized the music and film industries and made him a cultural icon.

His impact on popular culture continues to be felt in the modern day, long after his untimely death in 1977.

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was known not only for his political importance, but for his his wit and humour. The quote provided here is one he said this in response to accusations made against him by a political opponent during a debate in 1858 and the humour was part of his knack for defusing the tense situation. Lincoln would take the Presidency and start his term in 1861, and he would be assassinated in 1865.

Answer: Mark Twain

Twain was an American writer, humorist, and entrepreneur who, while best-known for his innately American literature (including "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"), was also known for his witty and satirical quotes, often reflecting his views on society and politics. Twain's legacy continues to influence American literature and culture, and his quotes are still widely used and referenced today.

"The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson", which released in the late 19th century, was specifically critical of race and politics in America, satirizing both heavily as it followed two boys, swapped at a young age into new social statuses, while their circumstances shaped their lives.

Answer: Orville Wright

Orville Wright is, of course, one of the Wright brothers who invented and built the world's first successful airplane, and this particular quote was made in 1901, just two years before the Wright brothers' first successful flight in 1903. Despite his initial skepticism, Orville and his brother Wilbur went on to make significant contributions to aviation and revolutionized the way we travel today, starting this scientific advancement in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

It took until World War I, about a decade later, before they were being mass produced. The first Trans-Atlantic flight would be in 1919.

Answer: Simone de Beauvoir

French writer and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir was a key figure in discussing feminist theory in the twentieth century and her works are amongst the foundational texts of modern philosophy in this regard. "The Second Sex", first published in 1949, contains the quote in question at the very start of Book II, and it highlights her belief that 'womanhood' is a construct; biology is not what shapes a woman, but the role is put upon a woman in society.

Her works and beliefs are considered trail-blazing, especially with a focus on existentialism amongst her contemporaries.