Wit & Wisdom

From William Feather, Sam Rayburn, Nora Ephron, Mary McCarthy, Robert Townsend, Jack Handey

“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.”

Publisher William Feather, quoted in United Press International

“No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut.”

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

“Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy.”

Nora Ephron, quoted in The Book Reporter

“Bureaucracy, the rule of no one, has become the modern despotism.”

Mary McCarthy, quoted in the London Times

“Consultants are people who borrow your watch and tell you what time it is—and then walk off with the watch.”

Robert Townsend, quoted in Salon.com

“I hope life isn’t a big joke, because I don’t get it.”

Comedic writer Jack Handey, quoted in ESPN.com