Don Marquis Quotes

A collection of quotes by Don Marquis.

Don Marquis (1878-1937) was an American writer, newspaper columnist, and humorist. He was born on July 29, 1878, in Walnut, Illinois, and raised in the town of Walnut and later in Chicago. After completing his education, Marquis worked as a journalist for various newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal, the New York Evening Sun, and the Evening Mail in New York City.

Marquis gained popularity and recognition for his fictional characters, especially the cockroach Archy and the cat Mehitabel. He introduced these characters in his columns, where Archy, a free-verse poet, communicated his humorous observations on humanity, society, and politics. Mehitabel, a streetwise alley cat with a flamboyant imagination, often accompanied him.

Marquis' writings were known for their wit, satire, and social commentary. He used his humorous verses and prose to explore philosophical themes, morality, and the human condition. His best-known book, "Archy and Mehitabel" (1927), collected his columns and became a classic of American literature.

In addition to his columns and books, Marquis also wrote poetry, plays, and novels, though it was his work as a newspaper columnist that brought him the most acclaim during his lifetime.

Don Marquis passed away on December 29, 1937, leaving behind a legacy of humor and literary contributions that continue to be enjoyed and appreciated.

When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask

When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him whose?

fire is beautifuland we know that if we gettoo close it will

fire is beautifuland we know that if we gettoo close it will kill usbut what does that matterit is better to be happy for a momentand be burned up with beautythan to live a long timeand be bored all the while

Of middle age the best that can be said is that a middle-age

Of middle age the best that can be said is that a middle-aged person has likely learned how to have a little fun in spite of his troubles.

In order to influence a child, one must be careful not to be

In order to influence a child, one must be careful not to be that child's parent or grandparent.

A pessimist is a person who has had to listen to too many op

A pessimist is a person who has had to listen to too many optimists.

An optimist is a man who has never had much experience.

An optimist is a man who has never had much experience.

I have often noticed that ancestors never boast of the desce

I have often noticed that ancestors never boast of the descendants who boast of ancestors. I would rather start a family than finish one. Blood will tell, but often it tells too much.

ihave often noticed thatancestors never boastof the descenda

ihave often noticed thatancestors never boastof the descendants who boastof ancestors i wouldrather start a family thanfinish one blood will tell but oftenit tells too much

what man calls civilizationalways results in desertsman is n

what man calls civilizationalways results in desertsman is never on the squarehe uses up the fat and greenery of the eartheach generation wastes a little moreof the future with greed and lust for riches

I never think when I write. Nobody can do two things at the

I never think when I write. Nobody can do two things at the same time and do them well.

Authors & Writing

He worked like hell in the country so he could live in the c

He worked like hell in the country so he could live in the city, where he worked like hell so he could live in the country.

prohibition makes you want to cry into your beer and denies

prohibition makes you want to cry into your beer and denies you the beer to cry into

Ours is a world where people don't know what they want and a

Ours is a world where people don't know what they want and are willing to go through hell to get it.

Success & Failure

Did you ever notice that when a politician does get an idea

Did you ever notice that when a politician does get an idea he usually gets it all wrong.

Bores bore each other too; but it never seems to teach them

Bores bore each other too; but it never seems to teach them anything.

When you can't have anything else, you can have virtue.

When you can't have anything else, you can have virtue.

Punctuality is one of the cardinal business virtues: always

Punctuality is one of the cardinal business virtues: always insist on it in your subordinates.

Successful people are the ones who think up things for the r

Successful people are the ones who think up things for the rest of the world to keep busy at.

Success & Failure

If you make people think they're thinking they'll love you:

If you make people think they're thinking they'll love you: but if you really make them think, they'll hate you.

Blood will tell, but often it tells too much.

Blood will tell, but often it tells too much.