Ross Petras

A compendium of 100 words and phrases smart people use—even if they only kinda sorta (secretly don't) know what they mean—with pithy definitions and fascinating etymologies to solidify their meanings.

Timeless in their wisdom, thought-provoking in their message, surprising in their truth and memorable in their originality, the right words can give direction, inspiration, and sometimes a tangible boost onto the right path. For example, Steve Jobs once read "Stay hungry Stay foolish" on the back cover of The Whole Earth Catalog, and those four words came to guide his life.

This collection of quotations—from the masters of the quote book, Kathryn and Ross Petras—focuses on the empowering aspects of change and is perfect for graduates or anyone else facing a life passage—landmark birthday, new job, new home, or the beginning (or end) of a relationship.

“Change is not merely necessary to life—it is life.” That’s Alvin Toffler, characteristically stating the profound in a profoundly direct way. And yes, even when we see change coming—as we’re about to graduate from school, take a new job, get married—it’s still not so easy to accept. And when we don’t see it coming—oof, we have an even harder time.

The thrill of victory! The agony of a tight jockstrap! It’s a celebration of true sports lunacy from the renowned connoisseurs of stupidity, Kathryn and Ross Petras, authors of the beloved 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said calendar with over 4.6 million copies in print.

The thrill of victory! The agony of a tight jockstrap! It’s a celebration of true sports lunacy from the renowned connoisseurs of stupidity, Kathryn and Ross Petras, authors of the beloved 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said calendar with over 4.6 million copies in print.