The Essential Wisdom of the Irish

The Irish people are well known for their rich tradition of oral and written wisdom that has left an indelible mark on history for more than 1,500 years. Their words embody a unique perspective on life with all its challenges, triumphs, and tragedy.

The Essential Wisdom of the Irish gathers together hundreds of unforgettable quotations from an extraordinary group of men and women—both Irish and Irish American—from all walks of life. The selections are arranged thematically and reflect a wide variety of subjects that are universal in some respects and singular in others.

In this book:
Oscar Wilde opines on the meaning of lovePatrick Pearse reflects on the price of freedomJonathan Swift comments on the true nature of geniusBrendan Behan offers his wry insights into Anglo-Irish relationsBono speaks passionately about ending povertyMaria Edgeworth extols the value of hope
Still other contributors include Eamon de Valera (“Whenever I wanted to know what the Irish people wanted, I had only to examine my own heart and it told me straight off what the Irish people wanted.”), John F. Kennedy (“In politics you have no friends, only allies.”), George Bernard Shaw (“The surest way to ruin a man who doesn’t know how to handle money is to give him some.”), Edna O’Brien (“The vote, I thought, means nothing to women. We should be armed.”), and James Joyce (“History, Stephen said, is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake.”).

Enhanced with a chronology of important events in Irish history, this moving collection celebrates not only the Irish people but also their legendary tenacity, eloquence, wit, and wisdom.