The AFU and Urban Legend Archive
AFU
 verification cite




From: dillo@ohww.norman.ok.us (Lizz Braver)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Patron Pedant of AFU
Date: 11 Oct 1996 01:23:17 GMT

I've finally found him...

"I ventured to address him somewhat as follows:'Mr.President, give me leave to ask you a question I have sometimes asked of aged persons, but never of any so aged or so learned as yourself.' He looked so kindly at me that I thought I might go on.'Every studious man, in the course of a long and thoughtful life, has had occasion to experience the special value of some axiom or precept. Would you mind giving me the benefit of such a word of advice?' He bade me explain, evidently to gain time. I quoted an instance. He nodded and looked thoughtful. Presently he brightened up and said,'I think, sir, since you cafre for the advice of an old man, sir, you will find it a very good practice' (here he looked me in the face) '*always to verify your references*, sir!"

Recorded by John William Burgon; quotation by Martin Joseph Routh (1755-1854), President of Magdalen College, Oxford.

Source: -The Oxford Book of Literary Anectdotes-, ed.James Sutherland, 1977. ISBN 0-671-22744-0.

One notices, of course, the shift in pronunciation since the last century, when "verify" was still correct. I don't feel it detracts from the pith of the statement.

Lizz "But did I vorify this? Of course not!" Braver


http://tafkac.org/