Neverisms

The Story of My Heart (1883)

Jefferies was a popular nature writer with a strong mystical streak. The Story of My Heart was an autobiographical account of his spiritual awakening and of how he learned to live in the present moment, which he called “The eternal Now.” A number of quotation anthologies and websites mistakenly attribute this quote to the African-American entertainer Pearl Bailey.

Take this for a golden rule through life—

Never, never have a friend that’s poorer than yourself.DOUGLAS JERROLD

Never ever let your children see you as a

broken down victim of their manipulation and disobedience.MATTHEW A. JOHNSON

In his Positive Parenting with a Plan (2002), Dr. Johnson added, “Rather, muster up enough strength, courage, and wisdom to save your tears for a private moment or leave your home and visit with a friend, counselor, or clergy.”

Make sure you never, never argue at night.

You just lose a good night’s sleep,

and you can’t settle anything until morning anyway.ROSE FITZGERALD KENNEDY

In a 1983 issue of Parade magazine, Mrs. Kennedy said she gave this advice to the first of her granddaughters to marry. Her observation is related to a popular American saying of undetermined origin: “Never let the sun go down on an argument.”

Never ever ever go to see the boss about a problem

without bringing along a proposed solution.WALTER KIECHEL III, in a 1984 BusinessWeek article

in which he added, “Better yet, three solutions.”

Never, never be afraid to do what’s right,

especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake.MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

This is one of Dr. King’s most frequently quoted thoughts, but I have been unable to find an original source. He added: “Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

Never—ever—leave home without your pad and pen.TIM LEMIRE, in his 2006 career guide

I’m an English Major—Now What?

Never, never, never be a cynic, even a gentle one.

Never help out a sneer, even at the devil.VACHEL LINDSAY

Never, never pass up an opportunity to meet new people.

Your antennae should be up your whole life.HARVEY B. MACKAY, in Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty: The Only Networking Book You’ll Ever Need (1997)

Never, EVER use logic on a pregnant woman.

I’m telling you right now: Just shut up and take it.CHRIS MANCINI, in Pacify Me: A Handbook

for the Freaked-Out New Dad (2009)

Never, ever overprogram or overschedule

your child’s time with too many activities.PHIL MCGRAW, in Family First: Your Step-by-Step

Plan for Creating a Phenomenal Family (2004)

Later in the book, McGraw offered the following advice about how to handle a family crisis: “Never, ever, turn on one another, put family relationships on the line, or cave into pressure. Instead, close ranks and support one another.”

Never, ever let an attractive woman

hold a power position in your home.JULIANNE MOORE, in the 1992 film

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Moore, as Marlene Craven, offered this warning to Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) about hiring the sexy Peyton Flanders (Rebecca De Mornay) as a nanny. She was right.

Never, Ever Step on a SpiderNANCY NICHOLSON, title of her 2003 book

You shouldn’t point a loaded gun at anyone.

(This is not an absolutely rigid rule. An absolutely rigid rule is:

Never, ever, point an unloaded gun at anyone).P. J. O’ROURKE, from Modern Manners:

An Etiquette Book for Rude People (1983)

It is absolutely vital never, never, never

to panic when facing an upsetting situation.NORMAN VINCENT PEALE, from

The Positive Principle Today (2003)

Peale was fond of neverisms, and occasionally dabbled in multiple ones. In his 1997 book You Can If You Think You Can (1997), he offered this Churchillian thought: “Never—never—settle for defeat.”

Never, EVER, Serve Sugary Snacks on Rainy DaysSHIRLEY RAINES, title of 1995 book,

subtitled The Official Little Instruction

Book for Teachers of Young Children

Never give back the ring. Never. Swallow it first.JOAN RIVERS, on broken engagements

If you want your relationship to last,

never, never, never, ever threaten the relationship itself.ANTHONY ROBBINS,

in Awaken the Giant Within (1991)

Never, never, you must never either of you

remind a man at work on a political job that he may be President.THEODORE ROOSEVELT

According to Lincoln Steffens, this was Roosevelt’s angry reply in 1895 when Steffens and fellow journalist Jacob Riis asked the popular New York City police commissioner if he had presidential aspirations. Roosevelt, who became incensed at the suggestion that he might be a political opportunist, went on to explain: “It almost always kills him politically. He loses his nerve; he can’t do his work; he gives up the very traits that are making him a possibility.” Then, after pausing for a moment and thinking about what he was saying, he