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  ...away EXPERIENCE; and often the unburthened vessel is driving to all parts of the compass, and the passengers no longer know whither they are going. The wisdom of the wise, and the experience of ages, may be preserved by QUOTATION.
It seems, however, agreed, that no one would quote if he could think; and it is not imagined that the well-read may quote from the delicacy of their taste, and the fulness of their knowledge. Whatever is felicitously expressed risks being worse expressed: It is a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.   We quote to save proving what has been demonstrated, referring to where the proofs may be found. We quote to screen ourselves from the odium of doubtful opinions, which the world would not willingly accept from ourselves; and we may quote from the curiosity which only a quotation itself can give, when in our own words it would be divested of that tint of ancient phrase, that detail of narrative, and that _na??vet??_ which we have for ever lost, and which we like to recollect once had...   Disraeli, Isaac

Excerpt from Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3) Edited, With Memoir And Notes, By His Son, The Earl Of Beaconsfield · This quote is about excellence · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation.

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