Marilyn Vos Savant Quotes

Have you ever noticed that when you must struggle to hear something, you close your eyes?

[When asked if the voice is an instrument:] Yes, of course. Some are violins, some are fountain pens and some are stethoscopes. And others are just washboards.

I believe that love--not imitation--is the sincerest form of flattery. Your imitator thinks that you can be duplicated; your lover knows you can't.

Be able to decline a date so gracefully that the person isn't embarrassed that he or she asked.

A fool is someone whose pencil wears out before its eraser does.

At first, I only laughed at myself. Then I noticed that life itself is amusing. I've been in a generally good mood ever since.

A friend is someone who stays by your side all through the troubles he's caused you.

I?d rather be rejected than used because they both amount to the same thing in the end, but being used takes a lot longer.

Evolution has long been the target of illogical arguments that use presumption.

Try square dancing-at least long enough to no longer feel silly and begin to have fun.

Be able to recognize many of the major constellations and know the stories behind them

Be able to describe anything visual, such as a street scene, in words that convey your meaning.

...there are days when I feel I can do anything and days when I feel I can do nothing. But fortunately for those around me, neither sort occurs very often.

Be able to draw an illustration as least well enough to get your point across to another person.

Know the difference between principles based on right or wrong vs. principles based on personal gain, and consider the basis of your own principles.

Know how weather, especially humidity, can affect the movement of doors and windows.

Be able to recognize the dangerous snakes, spiders, insects, and plants that live in your area of the country.

Know how to garnish food so that it is more appealing to the eye and even more flavorful than before.

Relatively few of us will find the time-or take it-to live an ever enlarging life.

Be sure to expose yourself to criticism: A fine polish requires an abrasive.

Experts say you can't concentrate on more than one task at a time.

While you're writing, you can't concentrate nearly as well on what the speaker is saying.

When our spelling is perfect, it's invisible. But when it's flawed, it prompts strong negative associations.

Know how to effectively voice a complaint or make a claim at a retail store.

Be able to keep a secret or promise when you know in your heart that it is the right thing to do.

Know the function of a fuse box and the appearance of a tripped circuit breaker.

If achieving your potential requires favorable judgment by others, you are much less likely to succeed.

Be able to notice all the confusion between fact and opinion that appears in the news

People who work crossword puzzles know that if they stop making progress, they should put the puzzle down for a while.

Be able to meet any deadline, even if your work is done less well than it would be if you had all the time you would have preferred.

Be able to live alone, even if you don't want to and think you will never find it necessary.

The chess player who develops the ability to play two dozen boards at a time will benefit from learning to compress his or her analysis into less time.

Be able to read blueprints, diagrams, floorplans, and other diagrams used in the construction process.

Be able to go shopping for a bathing suit and not become depressed afterward.

Know the names of past and current artists who are most famous for playing their instruments.

I've never found an interesting person with a foul mouth.

Understand why casinos and racetracks stay in business - the gambler always loses over the long term.

The 40s are when you start trading your psychological problems for physical ones.

A good leader needs to stand behind his or her followers as often as he or she needs to stand in front of them.

A person who learns to juggle six balls will be more skilled than the person who never tries to juggle more than three.

Know how to treat frostbite until you can get indoors.

Be able to confide your innermost secrets to your mother and your innermost fears to your father.

The freedom to be an individual is the essence of America.

Know how your representatives stand on major national or state issues.

Spending waiting moments doing crossword puzzles or reading a book you brought yourself.

Know about the appeals process, especially in the case of the most serious crimes.

Know what happens when an individual declares bankruptcy and how it affects his or her life.

Learn at least two classic ballroom dances, at least one of them Latin.

Be able to tell whether garments that look good on the hanger actually look good on you

Make a habit of canceling every subscription to anything you don't have time to read