The open media site “Wikiquotes” has built up quite a collection of pithy observations about both journalism and advertising (alas, there is no “strategic communication” page yet). They attempt to source every quote, unlike some other web repositories out there. Here are two of my favorites, mainly because of the historical context in which they were uttered:
The Press is at once the eye and the ear and the tongue of the people. It is the visible speech, if not the voice, of the democracy. It is the phonograph of the world.
- William Thomas Stead (May 1886) “Government by Journalism”, Contemporary Review.
Living in age of advertisement, we are perpetually disillusioned. The perfect life is spread before us every day, but it changes and withers at a touch.
- J. B. Priestley, “The Disillusioned”, 1929; in The Balconinny, and Other Essays, 1969, p. 30.
Anyone have favorite quotes to contribute to the mix?