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Quote by O. Henry

Work

Whirligigs

Whirligigs is a volume of short fiction by the celebrated American writer O. Henry, first published in 1910. The title refers to spinning toys, symbolizing the unpredictable and cyclical nature of fate and fortune that often appears in the author's work. The stories in this collection showcase O. Henry's characteristic style: clever wordplay, vivid character sketches, and twist endings that reveal hidden truths or ironic reversals. Set in early 20th-century urban and rural America, the tales range from comedic to poignant, touching on themes of love, deception, sacrifice, and the quirks of everyday life. While the book does not follow a single narrative, it exemplifies O. Henry's enduring popularity as a master of the short story form. more

Author

O. Henry
O. Henry

O. Henry, born William Sydney Porter, was a renowned American short story writer known for his unexpected twists and humorous style. His works, characterized by surprise endings and wit, are celebrated as a cornerstone of American short story literature. O. Henry was born in North Carolina and had a tumultuous life, working in various jobs including a cotton plantation laborer and a silver mine worker in Mexico. He was imprisoned for fraud and it was during his time in jail that he began writing, publishing numerous short stories. His stories covered a wide range of themes, including love, friendship, family, and social issues. more

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“Why then should words challenge Eternity, When greatest men, and greatest actions die? Use may revive the obsoletest words, And banish those that now are most in vogue; Use is the judge, the law, and rule of speech.”

“Words may be either the servants or masters. If the former they may safely guide us in the way of truth. If the latter they intoxicate the brain and lead into swamps of thought where there is no solid footing. Among the sources of those innumerable calamities which from age to age have overwhelmed mankind, may be reckoned as one of the principal, the abuse of words.”

“The common people do not accurately adapt their thoughts to objects; nor, secondly, do they accurately adapt their words to their thoughts; they do not mean to lie; but, taking no pains to be exact, they give you very false accounts. A great part of their language is proverbial; if anything rocks at all, they say it rocks like a cradle; and in this way they go on.”

“As any custom is disused, the words that expressed it must perish with it; as any opinion grows popular, it will innovate speech in the same proportion as it alters practice.”

“Words borrowed of Antiquity do lend a kind of Majesty to style, and are not without their delight sometimes. For they have the authority of years, and out of their intermission do win to themselves a kind of grace-like newness. But the eldest of the present, and newest of the past Language, is the best.”

“Hardly any original thoughts on mental or social subjects ever make their way among mankind or assume their proper importance in the minds even of their inventors, until aptly selected words or phrases have as it were nailed them down and held them fast.”