Oxymoronica!

This is the title of the book by Dr. Mardy Grothe.  In it she defines oxymoronica as “quotations that contain incompatible or incongruous elements.”  And while many examples can appear illogical or contradictory at first, they can often make a lot of sense and can sometimes even be true.  Some of my favorites include the following . . . humor me, please!

Less is more.  (Robert Browning)
The more things change, the more they remain the same.  (Alphonse Karr)
A nation is only at peace when it’s at war.  (Hugh Kingsmill)
I was never less alone than when by myself.  (Edward Gibbon)

This little book is full of examples and is comprised of fourteen chapters.  I can see additional postings in my future from time to time.

Chapter One: Oxymoronic Wit & Humor
Chapter Two: The Human Condition
Chapter Three: Sex, Love, & Romance
Chapter Four: Marriage, Home, & Family Life
Chapter Five: Ancient Oxymoronica
Chapter Six: Political Oxymoronica
Chapter Seven: Oxymoronica on Stage & Screen
Chapter Eight: Artistic Oxymoronica
Chapter Nine: Oxmoronic Insults (and a Few Compliments)
Chapter Ten: Oxymoronic Advice
Chapter Eleven: Descriptive Oxymoronica
Chapter Twelve: The Literary Life
Chapter Thirteen: Oxymoronic Insights from World Literature
Chapter Fourteen: Inadvertent Oxymoronica

 

May I Quote You?

There are certain people in our lives whom we can count on regardless of the need . . . these are our true friends.  No questions asked, they are always there when you need them.

I spent the weekend counting my many blessings and ran across this wonderful quotation that I just felt the need to share. 

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”  (Unknown)

But why stop with one.  Here are some others (courtesy of the Cynic’s Dictionary by Aubrey Dillon-Malone) . . .  Happy Monday!

A friend: “Someone who sticks by you even when he gets to know you real well.”  (E.C. McKenzie)
Friends: “Gods apology for relations.” (Hugh Kingsmill)
Friendship: “Love without his wings.” (Lord Byron)

To all of my friends . . . thanks for being there.

Friends!

How often do we take the time to truly appreciate our friends?  I would have to say not nearly often enough.  As a matter of fact, we probably tend to take them for granted and count on them to always be around when we need them.  Today’s post is dedicated to all the friends in our lives (not the mere acquaintances, but the true friends) . . . thank you.

“In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge.  The young they keep  out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds.”  — Aristotle

Here too are some definitions of “friend” (and a couple for ‘friendship”) from The Cynic’s Dictionary (authored by Aubrey Dillon-Malone).

“Someone who sticks by you even when he gets to know you real well.”  (E.C. McKenzie)

“People who tell you all the nice things you already knew about yourself.”  (Anonymuos)

“God’s apology for relations.”  (Hugh Kingsmill)

“Thermometers by which we judge the temperature of our fortunes.”  (Countess of Blessington)

“A holy passion, so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring in its nature that it will last through a whole lifetime — if either party isn’t asked to lend money.”  (Mark Twain)

“Love without his wings.”  (Lord Byron)