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As Emerson once said, "By necessity, by proclivity--and by delight, we all quote." In this new edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, you can find (and verify) classic quotes and little known gems--the words of the famous and the notorious, the witty and the wise--in a collection of over 9,000 quotations from more than 2,000 authors. Offering all the authority and accuracy of the acclaimed Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, the fourth edition maintains its extensive coverage of literary and historical quotations and contains completely up-to-date material on today's influential and cultural figures. From Homer, Shakespeare, and the Bible to the sound-bites of today's politicians and pop stars, this indispensable guide is unceasingly entertaining for the general reader and a highly practical reference for study or speech-writing. Perhaps the most useful feature of this dictionary is a keyword index, for tracing half-remembered quotations to their authors, or finding quotations on a particular subject.An ideal reference for any home or office library, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, Fourth Edition will be a constant source of entertainment and inspiration for public speakers, writers, or anyone else who enjoys a sparkling line or a spirited reply.