The Quotation Index
The Quotation Index is the trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them.
Our aim is simple: to collect quotations that are worth returning to, and to present them with the evidence and context needed to understand them properly.
We favour quality over quantity. The Index is not intended to catalogue everything a notable person has ever said. Instead, we select quotations for their enduring relevance, insight and usefulness. Each quotation is supported by contextual material, including information about the author and source, themes, categories, explanatory commentary and practical applications. Together, these connections make the Index more than a collection of quotations: they form a growing reference work about ideas, people and the works in which those ideas appeared.
How we source quotations
Every quotation in The Quotation Index is researched and its source checked by a human editor. Sources are classified according to three levels of evidence:
Primary source — The quotation has been verified directly in a work authored or delivered by the person quoted, such as a book, essay, speech or another original publication.
Secondary source — The quotation is documented in a credible and verifiable source that quotes the person directly, such as a reputable interview or another reliable publication, but a primary source has not been identified.
No reliable source — Substantial research has not uncovered a credible primary or secondary source. Such quotations may still be included when they are widely attributed or otherwise notable, but they are clearly marked so readers can see the limits of the available evidence.
As an approximate distribution, around 90% of quotations in the Index are verified through primary sources, 5% through secondary sources, and 5% are classified as having no reliable source.
Editorial principles
The Index is guided by accuracy, usefulness and intellectual honesty. We distinguish between what can be established, what can reasonably be supported, and what remains uncertain. We do not treat repetition across quotation websites or unsourced collections as evidence of authenticity.
The Index is a living reference work. New quotations, authors and sources are added continually, while existing entries may be expanded or corrected as better evidence becomes available.
Contact the editor
Corrections, additional sources and thoughtful suggestions are always welcome. If you have found an error, know of a stronger source, or would like to suggest a quotation for inclusion, please contact the editor at [email protected]