The History of Quotes!
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." - William Shakespeare
The first Quotes!
Since time began, words have been ingrained in our everyday life, and all things have their origin in the Bible. Ever since the Most High said "In the beginning...", words have been the foundation of our existence. So, how did man decide to invent the quote as a phenomenon?
Well, the Ancient Greeks and Romans - the Greco-Roman period (332 BC -395 AD) - were so pompous that they viewed their own words to be of divine origin, from their pagan gods. Statesman and Philosophers such as Cicero, Plato, and Caesar, all believed in the power of words, and so their words were inscribed as law. Consequently, when society conducted themselves around these laws, these laws (words) became quotes!
The Age of Enlightenment!
During the Age of Enlightenment (1685-1815), Aristotle's influence on Reason was so emphatic that writings of the Greeks were in high demand throughout Europe. Classical scholasticism was ripe back in the earth, and key figures such as Kant, Descartes, and Locke were changing the ideas of the people. But how does this development of an era effect the development of Quotes!
Quotes in the Age of Enlightenment were an integral part of communication, especially in High Society. If you couldn't quote Plato, Ovid, or Vigil, you were counted as a uneducated plebeian. So it's quite clear that Quotes have a strong influence on social class and taste. Being able to recall numerous quotes in a conversation granted you social prestige.
The 20th Century!
After the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the world headed into the 1900's, but Quotes were still alive. As we moved towards the 1960's, political tension was on the rise, and Orators such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were creating speeches that would later become invaluable quotes. Even Gandhi, Albert Einstein, and John Lennon were adding memorable quotes to history in the name of peace, progress, and prosperity.
Moving towards the 21st century, as a species we became more technologically advanced, and so books were replaced by kindles, but quotes still lived on as applications.
Conclusion
Quotes are a part of our existence - whether they be inspirational or educational - quotes have added meaning to a world where meaning is always changing.