Description
Book SynopsisThis anthology demonstrates to the full just how rewarding an art form the aphorism can be, and just how brilliantly the aphorist can illuminate the hidden truth, or lay bare the ironies of existence.Specific sections including ''Religion'', ''Money & Rank'', ''Men, Women, Marriage'' and ''Politics'', cover the whole range of aphoristic literature. This book brings together the most diverse figures-the classic aphorists, like La Rochefoucauld; the philosophers, from the Greeks to Samuel Johnson to Virginia Woolf-as well as statesmen, scientists, boulevardiers, Olympians, and gadflies. John Gross draws on their wisdom and wit to produce an anthology that will be referred to time and time again.
Trade ReviewReview from previous edition 'entertaining, thoughtful, splendidly varied' * Kingsley Amis *
'an admirable collection' * Anthony Burgess *
'And now, from the people who bring you the best anthologies, one of their best anthologies' * Christopher Ricks, Sunday Times *
'a really splendid book' * Observer *
'fascinating ... [the reader] will experience the delight of having his worst fears for the human race confirmed with brevity and style' * Quentin Crisp *
Table of ContentsIntroduction ; Aphorists & Aphorisms I ; Nature ; Mankind ; Life ; Desires & Longings ; Fears, Hopes, Passions ; Design and Chance ; Individuals ; The Sense of Identity ; Self-Love ; Self-Knowledge ; Self-Doubt ; One Among Many ; Fame & Reputation ; The Arts of Success ; Action & Achievement ; Money & Rank ; The Social Fabric ; Love, Jealousy, Libido ; Happiness & Sorrow ; Good & Evil ; etc
