Keyes Rules of Misquotation
Axiom 1. Any quotation that can be altered will be.
+ Corollary 1A: Vivid words hook misquotes in the mind.
+ Corollary 1B: Numbers are hard to keep straight.
+ Corollary 1C: Small changes can have a big impact (or: what a
difference an a makes).
+ Corollary 1D: If noted figures don't say what needs to be said,
we'll say it for them.
+ Corollary 1E: Journalists are a less than dependable source of
accurate quotes.
+ Corollary 1F: Famous dead people make excellent commentators on
current events.
Axiom 2. Famous quotes need famous mouths.
+ Corollary 2A: Well-known messengers get credit for clever comments
they report from less celebrated mouths.
+ Corollary 2B: Particularly quotable figures receive more than their
share of quotable quotes.
+ Corollary 2C: Comments made about someone might as well have been
said by that person.
+ Corollary 2D: Who you think said something may depend on where you
live.
+ Corollary 2E: Vintage quotes are considered to be in the public
domain.
+ Corollary 2F: In a pinch, any orphan quote can be called a Chinese
proverb.
