Headlines twice the size of the events.
—John Galsworthy (1867–1933) English Novelist, Playwright
To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Newspapers always excite curiosity. No one ever puts one down without the feeling of disappointment.
—Charles Lamb (1775–1834) British Essayist, Poet
Flash’d from his bed the electric tidings came, he is no better, he is much the same.
—Unknown
A journalist is a grumbler, a censurer, a giver of advice, a regent of sovereigns, a tutor of nations. Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Evil report carries further than any applause
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
When ill news comes too late to be serviceable to your neighbor, keep it to yourself.
—Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann (1728–1795) Swiss Philosophical Writer, Naturalist, Physician
Newsmen believe that news is a tacitly acknowledged fourth branch of the federal system. This is why most news about government sounds as if it were federally mandated—serious, bulky and blandly worthwhile, like a high-fiber diet set in type.
—P. J. O’Rourke (1947–2022) American Journalist, Political Satirist
Journalism is popular, but it is popular mainly as fiction. Life is one world, and life seen in the newspapers another.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Newspapers have degenerated. They may now be absolutely relied upon.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Evil news rides post, while good news bates.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers.
—Allen Ginsberg (1926–97) American Poet, Activist
A newspaper is lumber made malleable. It is ink made into words and pictures. It is conceived, born, grows up and dies of old age in a day.
—Jim Bishop (1907–87) American Journalist, Author
Today’s news was published by word of mouth in the streets of ancient Athens.
—Unknown
I’ll give anything for a good copy now, be it true or false, so it be news.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely happier for it.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
I well believe it, to unwilling ears;None love the messenger who brings bad news.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
The first bringer of unwelcome news hath but a losing office.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
News is what a chap who doesn’t care much about anything wants to read. And it’s only news until he’s read it. After that it’s dead.
—Evelyn Waugh (1903–66) British Novelist, Essayist, Biographer
I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
The American people deserve to know that they’re not just watching the administration’s spin on their local newscasts—they’re paying for it, too.
—John Kerry (b.1943) American Politician, Diplomat
In the case of news, we should always wait for the sacrament of confirmation.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
It is always the unreadable that occurs.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
I hate newspapermen. They come into camp and pick up their camp rumors and print them as facts. I regard them as spies, which, in truth, they are. If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast.
—William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator
They are so filthy and bestial that no honest man would admit one into his house for a water-closet doormat.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Once a newspaper touches a story the facts are lost forever, even to the protagonists.
—Norman Mailer (1923–2007) American Novelist Essayist
Though it be honest, it is never good to bring bad news.—Give to a gracious message a host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell themselves when they be felt.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people’s accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man’s failures.
—Earl Warren (1891–1974) American Judge, Politician
A good newspaper is a nation talking to itself.
—Arthur Miller (1915–2005) American Playwright, Essayist
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