This is a reference book so I did not read it cover to cover. I came to it by way of a recommendation by Jacques Barzun to browse rather than read this volume.

Of course, W. H. Auden gets all the attention and I don't begrudge him that but Louis Kronenberger should get mention as a coauthor. And who is Louis Kronenberger? From Wikipedia he appears to be another person we should all be more familiar with.

This is the kind of book that has been obviated by the internet. I keep a site called Brainy Quote bookmarked. It has about 200 quotes from one of my favorites, La Rochfoucaulde; this book only had thirty-eight. The book has single quotes from people I am not familiar with such as Edmond About and George William Russell; Brainy Quote had numerous quotes from each of them. Then there is the tactile aspect of paper versus digital: I prefer paper for a straightforward cover-to-cover read but when it comes to flipping around from index to content and back again digital is better. ( )

We

Fun pastime reading and thinking ( )

The editors begin with an opening essay which provides their rigorous definition of aphorisms (as distinct, say, from epigrams) then include only selections which meet that definition. This is an excellent compilation of pithy, thought-provoking prose which rewards close attention. ( )

Sadly, there are no quotes from the Sagas in this anthology. (sorry, I've been entering my "Myth" books by Asprin lately.) Other than that it's a fine book to crib from when the well runs dry. ( )