Carolyn Wells

thumb| Carolyn Wells (June 18, 1862 — March 26, 1942) was an American mystery author and poet. Quotes A cynic is a man who looks at the world with a monocle in his mind's eye. "Mixed Maxims", in Puck, vol. 45, no. 1186 (July 12, 1899) p. 13 Of two evils choose the prettier. "Modern Aphorisms", in The Academy, vol. 62 (August 19, 1899) p. 181 (from the Criterion) A guilty conscience is the mother of invention. "Mixed Maxims", in The Century Magazine, vol. 62, no. 2 (June 1901) p. 320 A blunder at the right moment is better than cleverness at the wrong time. Folly for the Wise (Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1904) "More Mixed Maxims", p. 159 The books we think we ought to read are poky, dull, and dry; The books that we would like to read we are ashamed to buy; The books that people talk about we never can recall; And the books that people give us — oh, they’re the worst of all! "On Books", in Harper's Monthly Magazine, vol. 121, no. 723 (August 1910) p. 484 I love the Christmas-tide, and yet,    I notice this, each year I live; I always like the gifts I get,    But how I love the gifts I give! "A Thought", in Life, vol. 62, no. 1623 (December 4, 1913) p. 962 “A noble theme!” the tyro cried;    And straightway scribbled off a sonnet. “A noble theme,” the poet sighed;    “I am not fit to write upon it.” "Humility", in The Ladies' Home Journal, vol. 43, no. 8 (August 1926) p. 158 They borrow books they will not buy, They have no ethics or religions; I wish some kind Burbankian guy Could cross my books with homing pigeons! "Non-Returnable", in The Literary Digest, vol. 112, no. 9 (February 27, 1932) p. 26 Advice is one of those things it is far more blessed to give than to receive. The Rest of My Life (J. B. Lippincott Co., 1937) "The Vice of Advice", p. 71 It is the interest one takes in books that makes a library. And if a library have interest it is; if not, it isn't. The Rest of My Life (1937) "Libraries at Large", p. 199 Youth is a silly, vapid state, Old age with fears and ills is rife; This simple boon I beg of Fate — A thousand years of Middle Life. "My Boon", reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 11th ed. (New York, 1938 [1937]) p. 812 He laughs best who laughs last,    The wiseacres vow; But I am impatient,    I want to laugh now. "Delays Are Dangerous", st. 1, reported in Bartlett's (1938) p. 812 I don't believe the half I hear,    Nor the quarter of what I see! But I have one faith, sublime and true,    That nothing can shake or slay; Each spring I firmly believe anew    All the seed catalogues say! "One Firm Faith", reported in Bartlett's (1938) p. 813 See also Purple Cow Parodies#By Carolyn Wells External links Category:1862 births Category:1942 deaths Category:Novelists from the United States Category:20th-century poets from the United States Category:Anthologists Category:Children's authors Category:Mystery authors Category:Women authors from the United States Category:People from New Jersey