As Emerson once said, "By necessity, by proclivity--and by delight, we all quote." In this new edition of the 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. 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 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.