Memorable lines or sayings stick like glue to your memory. They are either relevant or have a unique flavor about them which you cannot miss or ignore. They serve as inspiration to an entire generation and catch the fancy of the young and the old.
Quotes make a good copy and are a useful tool to convey a point or counterpoint. For instance, if you are debating and trying to prove a point a relevant quote would drive home your message to the audience easily and convincingly.
Some legendary writers were known for their wit and humor and are remembered even today for their outstanding observations. George Bernard Shaw was an awesome playwright and a gifted speaker. He had a keen sense of humor and could lend a new perspective to mundane issues. I am an ardent fan of Shaw and have admired his writing skills.
A few examples will suffice to prove that Shaw was a great thinker and philosopher. Shaw never hesitated to take a dig at conventions and traditions. I am sure some of his quotes would shock the fundamentalists like this one: "Do not love thy neighbor as yourself, their tastes may not be the same." Again it was he, who wrote: "The golden rule is that there are no golden rules."
Quotes can be highly motivational. Swami Vivekananda was a great visionary and a fabulous speaker who could keep his audience spell-bound without being boring or ineffective. Little nuggets of wisdom are found in abundance in his works. His thoughts are universal in nature and appeal to all human beings. On matters of religion, the Swami was an acknowledged master. His belief that "All who have actually attained any real religious experience never wrangle over the form in which the different religions. They know that the soul of all religions is the same and so they have no quarrel with anybody just because he or she does not speak in the same tongue" is proof of his liberal and tolerant nature. All great thinkers obviously possess this trait which has made them immortal!
Quotes can also be humorous and lend sparkle to your everyday life. We are often tickled by what we see or hear in society. It was a wise man who once said: "He was so learned, he could name a horse in nine languages, so ignorant he bought a cow to ride on!" This is clearly directed at those people who have bookish knowledge but precious little practical knowledge.
In any case, I rely heavily on thinkers, poets, politicians and religious leaders to gain insights into issues which affect me as a person and influence my approach to life and death.