Of quotes and quotations

Quotation
Definition: A phrase or a sentence from a book or a speech that reflects the author's profound thoughts. Quotations can be amusing, interesting, thought provoking, sad, inspiring or emotional.

Quote
Definition: To quote means to repeat the exact words of another with the acknowledgement of the source.

Often the word quote is used as a substitute for the word quotation. Strictly speaking, this is incorrect. Quote is a verb and Quotation is a noun. So, in effect, you quote a quotation.

Found the above on http://quotations.about.com. Good one, right? I have found about.com as one of the most informative sites on the internet, on a diverse range of subjects.

Coming back to the title of this blog - today, I read a beautiful quote, oops, quotation:
"Never begin the day until it is finished on paper."

I think it's a quote to be followed religiously everyday, especially in professional life. Lack of careful and elaborate planning is biggest cause of wasting invaluable time at workplace. Everyday has to be spent in execution of a meticulously worked out plan.

So it's a wonderful quotation. The only bad thing about it is that it's made by a "motivational speaker" Jim Rohn. I don't have have anything personal against Jim Rohn. I just hate this concept of "motivational speakers". Imagine someone just going round giving speeches "motivating" people (and earning money).

That brings me to a couple of debates I have with myself about quotations:
If a quotation is good, does it matter who has said it? If yes, why? Secondly, is the value of a quotation only in following it suitably to change life for the better? In other words, is it worthless to speak about a quotation if we don't follow it?

Let me take the first one: I think it matters to me who has said it as much as what is being said. The concept of "motivational speakers" seems like hypocracy. Every good quotation should be backed up by character of the person saying it. And I ask why? If someone has said something good, some words that make a positive change in me, why should it matter how great the person is? I don't know. For e.g. let's the take the quotation:
"When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been murderers and tyrants, and for a time they can seem invincible. But in the end they always fall. Think of it, always!"
It's a good thought. But it seems even greater when we know that the quotation is by Gandhi. How would we view it if the words were Jinnah's? Why would they seem wothless in the latter case?

I think when we know that the the quotation is by some great man (or woman), we know that it really is true. When we don't know the origin of the quotation, we only have our own experience to judge it's validity. When we know that the words are spoken by a person of distinguished character we know that they have also been validated by someone else, someone wise and trustworthy, hence are more likely to be the truth. That gives it more credibility.

(to be continued tomorrow)