The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (24 page)
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Authors: Elizabeth Knowles
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Austin, J. L.
1911–60
1911–60
1
In such cases we should not know what to say. This is when we say "words fail us" and mean this literally. We should need new words. The old ones just would not fit. They aren't meant to cover this kind of case.
on being asked how one might describe the predicament of the character in Kafka's Metamorphosis who wakes to find himself transformed into a giant cockroach
In such cases we should not know what to say. This is when we say "words fail us" and mean this literally. We should need new words. The old ones just would not fit. They aren't meant to cover this kind of case.
on being asked how one might describe the predicament of the character in Kafka's Metamorphosis who wakes to find himself transformed into a giant cockroach
Isaiah Berlin "Austin and the Early Beginnings of Oxford Philosophy" in
Essays on J. L. Austin
(1973)
Awdry, Revd
1911–97
1911–97
1
You've a lot to learn about trucks, little Thomas. They are silly things and must be kept in their place. After pushing them about here for a few weeks you'll know almost as much about them as Edward. Then you'll be a Really Useful Engine.
I should like my epitaph to say, "He helped people see God in the ordinary things of life, and he made children laugh."
You've a lot to learn about trucks, little Thomas. They are silly things and must be kept in their place. After pushing them about here for a few weeks you'll know almost as much about them as Edward. Then you'll be a Really Useful Engine.
Thomas the Tank Engine
(1946)
I should like my epitaph to say, "He helped people see God in the ordinary things of life, and he made children laugh."
in
Independent
22 March 1997, obituary
Ayckbourn, Alan
1939–
1939–
1
This place, you tell them you're interested in the arts, you get messages of sympathy.
This place, you tell them you're interested in the arts, you get messages of sympathy.
Chorus of Disapproval
(1986) act 2
Ayer, A. J.
1910–89
1910–89
1
The criterion which we use to test the genuineness of apparent statements of fact is the criterion of verifiability. We say that a sentence is factually significant to any given person, if, and only if, he knows how to verify the proposition which it purports to express—that is, if he knows what observations would lead him, under certain conditions, to accept the proposition as being true, or reject it as being false.
Why should you mind being wrong if someone can show you that you are?
The criterion which we use to test the genuineness of apparent statements of fact is the criterion of verifiability. We say that a sentence is factually significant to any given person, if, and only if, he knows how to verify the proposition which it purports to express—that is, if he knows what observations would lead him, under certain conditions, to accept the proposition as being true, or reject it as being false.
Language, Truth, and Logic
(1936) ch. 1
Why should you mind being wrong if someone can show you that you are?
attributed
Ayres, Pam
1947–
1947–
1
Medicinal discovery,
It moves in mighty leaps,
It leapt straight past the common cold
And gave it us for keeps.
Medicinal discovery,
It moves in mighty leaps,
It leapt straight past the common cold
And gave it us for keeps.
"Oh no, I got a cold" (1976)
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