To Quote Someone

Quoting is an attempt, sometimes futile, to “engage another’s words to decorate text,” using quotation marks either literally or those in the air to delineate the ultimate purpose of the writer or speaker to frankly, add some glitter and wow without using many brain cells.

Fifty years ago one could call upon memory or the written word to find a quote to make their own without much fear of someone knowing where you found it, but in this day of technology, as all students know, Turnitin, an anti-plagiarism tool used by most high schools and colleges, squashes the idea that you can borrow or steal anothers’ words and make them your own.

Tavis Smiley explained quoting in a commencement speech he gave at DePauw University. “The first time I quote someone I give them full credit such as, ‘So and so said’. The next time I quote someone I say, ‘A person once said’. The third time I quote someone I say, ‘As I always say’. In so many words, quotations are diluted with time and they become our own words. Unless…

Some quotes just can’t be stolen. Malcomb Gladwell wrote, “A question may be answered, but a mystery may never be.” It’s one to hang on your wall or write in your memory. Barbara Bush quotes are legendary and this one gives women real hope, “What my mother believed about cooking is that if you worked hard and prospered, someone else would do it for you.”

Alex Haley used a very familiar quote in one of his speeches talking about how he became famous, “Anytime you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.” A very new quote that has made my top five is from Allison Janney, future EGOT winner and 2017 Best Actress Oscar who said in an interview that her favorite quote was by her grandmother who always said, “Never go to bed with dirty feet.”

Finally, yeah, the famous unknown author quote, “That that is, is. That that is not, is not. Is that it? It is.” Never fear atelophobics there will always be grammatical errors.

My undying love of plagiarism started early when I began to read Lydel Sims, who wrote “Assignment:Memphis.” Do you notice any similarity between his column name and the one I chose? Yes, it is a tribute. Also, my love of rhyming, “Hello, Monticello” and double initial names are lucky, JJ. “Confession is good for the soul.”

Here’s the quote to live by, “Half the time you’re climbing up the mountain and the other half you’re going down the mountain, rarely do you get to stay on top of the mountain.” Relish the moment.