Literature Quotes Quiz

Who said these famous quotes?

Do you know who penned these famous literary phrases? Test your knowledge and uncover the brilliant minds behind some of the most memorable quotes in the realm of literature.

See how well you can match each quote to its author and perhaps discover some intriguing insights about their works along the way. Whether you're a dedicated bookworm or just love a good quote, this quiz is sure to challenge and inspire.

Let’s dive into the pages of history and get started!

Start the Literature Quotes Quiz

Famous Literature Quotes

• Who said "So many books, so little time."?

  The quote is attributed to Frank Zappa, an American musician and composer known for his eclectic composition style and innovative approach to music. The quote reflects the sentiment of a voracious reader or a lover of literature overwhelmed by the vast number of books available compared to the limited time one has to read them.

  • Frank Zappa
  • J.K. Rowling
  • Mark Twain
  • Ernest Hemingway

• Marcus Tullius Cicero said: "A room without books is like a _______"

  The quote is attributed to Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher, known for his profound influence on the Latin language and the philosophy of humanism. This quote metaphorically highlights the essential nature of books for enriching the mind and soul, drawing a parallel between physical and intellectual emptiness.

  
  
  • car without wheels
  • body without a soul
  • garden without flowers
  • sky without stars

• Who said "I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library."?

  The quote is attributed to Jorge Luis Borges, an Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet and translator, and a key figure in Spanish-language literature. Known for his complex narratives and profound philosophical insights, Borges often explored themes like dreams, labyrinths, libraries, and fictional writers. His love for books and libraries is well reflected in this quote, which metaphorically elevates the library to a heavenly status, equating it with his idea of paradise.

  
  
  • Jorge Luis Borges
  • Gabriel García Márquez
  • Umberto Eco
  • Virginia Woolf

• Groucho Marx said: "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's _________"

  The quote is attributed to Groucho Marx, an American comedian and film star, renowned for his witty humor and quick comebacks. This particular quote from "The Essential Groucho: Writings For By And About Groucho Marx" is a classic example of his play on words and humor, using a literal interpretation to create a comic effect about the impracticality of reading inside a dog.

  • too noisy to concentrate
  • just cuddly
  • too dark to read
  • a warm place

• Which of the following quotes is not from Oscar Wilde?

  Oscar Wilde, known for his sharp wit and flamboyant style, was a master of the epigram and a profound commentator on society and morality. His quotes often challenge societal norms with irony and humor. Although the phrase "There is no friend as loyal as a book" sounds like something Wilde might say, it is actually attributed to Ernest Hemingway, another literary giant, known for his succinct and impactful prose that often reflected his adventures and contemplations on life.

  • “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”
  • “The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”
  • “It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.”
  • “There is no friend as loyal as a book.”

• Who said "′Classic′ - a book which people praise and don't read."?

  The quote is attributed to Mark Twain, an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. Known for his witty and satirical style, Twain's observations often critiqued social norms and human nature. This quote reflects his cynical view on the literary canon, humorously noting that so-called "classic" books are often more revered than actually read.

  • Mark Twain
  • Charles Dickens
  • George Orwell
  • Jane Austen

• Ray Bradbury said: "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. ______________"

  The quote is attributed to Ray Bradbury, an American author and screenwriter predominantly known for his dystopian novel "Fahrenheit 451" and other science fiction and horror works. This quote succinctly encapsulates the theme of his famous novel, which critiques censorship and the suppression of ideas. It warns against the subtle ways a culture can be undermined, emphasizing the dangers of apathy towards literature and reading.

  • Just get people to stop reading them.
  • Just rewrite them.
  • Just ignore their importance.
  • Just close the libraries.

• Who said "Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly."?

  The quote is attributed to Sir Francis Bacon, an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author, and pioneer of the scientific method. Bacon's work across various disciplines left a profound impact on the development of knowledge and scientific methodology. This quote from his literary works illustrates his metaphorical approach to reading, emphasizing the different levels of engagement one should have with different texts.

  • Sir Francis Bacon
  • William Shakespeare
  • Thomas Hobbes
  • John Locke

• Voltaire said: "Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do _______"

  The quote is attributed to Voltaire, a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher known for his wit, criticism of the Catholic Church, and advocacy of freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and civil liberties. This quote reflects his belief in the joy and harmlessness of intellectual and physical expression, suggesting that such pleasures are beneficial rather than detrimental to society.

  • any good to the world
  • any harm to the world
  • anything but pass the time
  • us any favors

• Who said "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the TV, I go into the other room and read a book."?

  The quote is attributed to Groucho Marx, an American comedian, writer, stage, film, radio, and television star. He was known for his quick wit and his ability to craft statements that were both humorous and sharp in their social commentary. This particular quote humorously critiques the value of television as a medium of entertainment or learning, contrasting it with the intellectual engagement provided by books.

  • Groucho Marx
  • Woody Allen
  • Bob Hope
  • Charlie Chaplin

• Fernando Pessoa said: "Literature is the most agreeable way of ______"

  The quote is attributed to Fernando Pessoa, a Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic, translator, publisher, and philosopher, described as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. His work in "The Book of Disquiet" is a profound reflection on the nature of existence and the role of literature. This quote encapsulates his view on literature as an escape from the demands and realities of life.

  • expressing oneself
  • ignoring life
  • understanding others
  • celebrating beauty

• Who said "We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect."?

  The quote is attributed to Anaïs Nin, a French-Cuban-American diarist, essayist, novelist, and writer of short stories and erotica. Known for her deeply introspective diaries, which span several decades and provide an intimate look at her personal life and relationships, Nin's writings often explore the complexities of the human psyche and the artistic expression of personal experience. This quote reflects her belief in writing as a tool for understanding and appreciating life's experiences more fully.

  • Anaïs Nin
  • Sylvia Plath
  • Virginia Woolf
  • Frida Kahlo

• J.D. Salinger said: "What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a _____________"

  The quote is from J.D. Salinger, an American writer known for his novel "The Catcher in the Rye." This quote reflects the profound impact that a truly captivating book can have on its reader, creating a sense of personal connection and admiration towards the author. It speaks to the intimate relationship that can develop between reader and writer through the medium of a powerful narrative.

  • celebrity you could meet
  • famous personality you follow
  • terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it
  • regular guest at your dinner parties

• Haruki Murakami said: "If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only ____ what everyone else is _______."

  The quote is from Haruki Murakami, a contemporary Japanese writer known for his unique narrative style and deep thematic content in novels such as "Norwegian Wood". This quote challenges the conformist approach to reading and suggests that a varied literary diet is essential for developing independent thought. It reflects Murakami's broader themes about individuality and the human condition.

  • see / seeing
  • understand / understanding
  • think / thinking
  • feel / feeling