Surprise quotes

Surprise

546 quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.

546 quotes

Explore further

Browse quotes that often appear alongside surprise — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.

Quote collection

Surprise quotes (page 4 of 28)

Follow a thought to its author, or read the full quote page.

Lee Child Author
Surprise

"I have the "thing" worked out - the trick or the surprise or the pivotal fact. Then I just start somewhere and let the story work itself out."

Read quote 6 likes
George Carlin Comedian, Actor
Surprise

"Humor is based on surprise, and surprise is a milder way of saying shock. It's surprise that makes the joke."

Read quote 6 likes
Joseph Joubert Essayist, Moralist
Surprise

"Genuine witticisms surprise those who say them as much as those who listen to them; they arise in us in spite of us, or, at least, without our participation,--like everything inspired."

Read quote 6 likes
Paulo Coelho Writer
Surprise

"Déjà vu is more than just that fleeting moment of surprise, instantly forgotten because we never bother with things that make no sense. It show that time doesn't pass. It's a leap into something we have already experienced and that is being repeated."

Read quote 5 likes
Ralph Waldo Emerson Essayist, Philosopher, Poet
Surprise

"Illusion, Temperament, Succession, Surface, Surprise, Reality, Subjectiveness,--these are the threads on the loom of time, these are the lords of life."

Read quote 5 likes
Frank Herbert Science Fiction Writer
Surprise

"Chance is the nature of our universe. [...] madness represents a chaotic reservoir of surprises. Some surprises can be valuable."

Read quote 4 likes
Elie Wiesel Writer, Holocaust Survivor
Surprise

"I was 15, not 14, when I was inside there [Auschwitz], 15, and for me both were actually a surprise."

Read quote 3 likes