Top 99 Quotes by Michael Dirda

About Michael Dirda

These are some quotes by American author Michael Dirda Critic, who was born in 1948.

Because of Kipling, I've sometimes wondered about keeping a mongoose about the house. But given the cobra population in Silver Spring, Maryland - zero, when last I checked - we hardly need a Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

Michael Dirda

Some travelers collect souvenirs, postcards, or bumper stickers; I bring home a pencil from the various places I visit.

Some travelers collect souvenirs, postcards, or bumper stickers; I bring home a pencil from the various places I visit.

Michael Dirda

When I talk to friends and editors about possible projects, especially about projects that might come with a significant cash advance, they usually suggest a biography. Sometimes I'm tempted, but the prospect of spending years researching and writing about someone else's life offends my vanity.

Michael Dirda

At any given moment, I've always assumed that nearly everyone around me was smarter than I was, more naturally gifted, quicker-witted, and probably capable of understanding Heidegger and Derrida.

At any given moment, I've always assumed that nearly everyone around me was smarter than I was, more naturally gifted, quicker-witted, and probably capable of understanding Heidegger and Derrida.

Michael Dirda

The goal of a just society should be to provide satisfying work with a living wage to all its citizens.

The goal of a just society should be to provide satisfying work with a living wage to all its citizens.

Michael Dirda

While Napoleon believed his fortunes to be governed by destiny, his real genius lay in self-control and martial daring coupled with an indomitable will to power.

While Napoleon believed his fortunes to be governed by destiny, his real genius lay in self-control and martial daring coupled with an indomitable will to power.

Michael Dirda

From the late 19th to the early 20th century, the December issue of almost any general-interest magazine regularly featured a holiday horror or two.

From the late 19th to the early 20th century, the December issue of almost any general-interest magazine regularly featured a holiday horror or two.

Michael Dirda

I long ago ran out of bookshelf space and so, like a museum with its art, simply rotate my books from the boxes to the shelves and back again.

I long ago ran out of bookshelf space and so, like a museum with its art, simply rotate my books from the boxes to the shelves and back again.

Michael Dirda

With concerted effort, I can follow written instructions, but don't ask me to simply grasp how to operate a smartphone.

With concerted effort, I can follow written instructions, but don't ask me to simply grasp how to operate a smartphone.

Michael Dirda

Mentoring is the last refuge of the older artist. With luck, disciples will keep one's books in print, one's reputation alive.

Mentoring is the last refuge of the older artist. With luck, disciples will keep one's books in print, one's reputation alive.

Michael Dirda

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