dennis scharnberg

Economics: A horrible, horrible mistake.

Nathaniel Bumppo, The Final Word.

If you repeat a statement often enough, you will alter reality.

Godfrey Tooke, Collected Aphorisms.

“At that point, he presented a sealed envelope. He told me that it contained nine-thousand dollars, in large denominations. Of course there was no way to determine what it contained. There was only his word on the matter.”

Virgil Simms, The Case of the Frivolous Factotum.

[At their best], descriptions of modernism possess greater value than the art they characterize.

Crispin Trove, The Viewer as Pest.

“Try to remember, Jack, that they will never forgive you for being right.”

Will Bestwyck, Letters From Mr. Palindrome.

“Just tell me what it is not, please. That’s all I care to know.”

Endicott Campbell, An Accidental Likeness.

“He is gone,” exclaimed Eleanor, with the slightest shudder. “Perfectly gone.”

Trenton Childe, Rob Riddle and His Friends. (1792)

…and it was claimed that she would evaluate a film script in terms of how many opportunities for smiling it afforded her character.

Jeremy Breedlove, A Sardonic View of the Movies.

“I shall scream if you do not compose yourself, Mr. Vickery,” stated Lady Miriam, in a whisper. “I warrant you, sir!”

Trevor Walpole, The Imperfect Stranger. (1784)

In his still unpublished Treatise on Gambling Havers devoted five chapters to the task of “reducing the rate at which one loses.”

Palmer Dove, The Edwardian Moment.