Books by splitShops
Oxymoronica: Paradoxical Wit and Wisdom from History's Greatest Wordsmiths - Paperback
$15.99
In stock
Shipping charges, applicable taxes, the final order total, and available payment methods are shown during checkout before payment. Delivery timing varies by item and fulfillment origin. Standard U.S. returns are by mail for eligible new, unopened items within 30 days of carrier delivery. Customers pay standard return shipping; there is no restocking fee. Approved refunds are issued within 5 business days after the return is received and inspected. Standard exchanges are not offered.
Cindi Book items have a flat $9.99 shipping charge. Shopify Collective items use shipping rates set by the supplier. Orders containing items from different fulfillment sources may include more than one shipping charge. Your full shipping total is shown at checkout before payment.
Return eligibility is subject to the full policy. Opened, read, or unsealed books with broken seals or visible wear are final sale. Digital downloads, gift cards, and personalized products are non-refundable. Original shipping charges are not refunded for standard returns. Contact us within 7 days of delivery about damaged, defective, or incorrect items.
by Mardy Grothe (Author)
A must-have for language lovers, this compendium contains hundreds of mind-stretching observations that are contradictory or illogical on one level, yet true, witty, and often profound on another.
ox-y-mor-on-i-ca (OK-se-mor-ON-uh-ca) noun: Any variety of tantalizing, self-contradictory statements or observations that on the surface appear false or illogical, but at a deeper level are profoundly true.
For example:
"Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad."
--Victor Hugo
"To lead the people, walk behind them."
--Lao-tzu
"You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap."
--Dolly Parton
For over a decade Dr. Mardy Grothe has delighted readers with this collection of 1,400 of the most provocative quotations of all time. From ancient thinkers like Confucius, Aristotle and Saint Augustine, to great writers like Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde and G. B. Shaw, to modern social observers like Woody Allen and Lily Tomlin, Oxymoronica celebrates the power and beauty of paradoxical thinking. All areas of human activity are explored, including love, sex, romance, politics, the arts, marriage and family, and, of course, the literary life. Sure to grab the attention of language lovers everywhere, the wise and witty observations in this book are as entertaining as they are intellectually nourishing.
This one-of-a-kind collection of oxymorons and paradoxes explores:
- Witty Observations: Discover why Dolly Parton claimed, "You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap," and explore hundreds of other zingers from Oscar Wilde, G. B. Shaw, and Woody Allen.
- Profound Truths: Unpack the wisdom in ancient paradoxes like Lao-tzu's "To lead the people, walk behind them," from thinkers as diverse as Confucius and Saint Augustine.
- Contradictions in Terms: Delve into the "sweet sorrow" and "happy agony" of the oxymoron, the rhetorical device that packs a punch by revealing truth through contradiction.
- For Language Lovers: A mind-stretching journey through 1,400 of history's most provocative quotations, exploring everything from politics and love to the literary life itself.
Front Jacket
ox-y-mor-on-i-ca (OK-see-mor-ON-uh-kuh) noun: Any variety of self-contradictory statements or observations that on the surface appear false or illogical, but at a deeper level are profoundly true.
For more than a decade Dr. Mardy Grothe has delighted readers with this collection of 1,500 of the most provocative quotations of all time. From ancient thinkers and great writers to modern social observers, Oxymoronica celebrates the power and beauty of paradoxical thinking.
In this new and updated edition, Dr. Mardy has added 130 classic and unforgettable turns of phrase, bringing the joy of oxymoronica to new audiences. Exploring all facets of life, the wise and witty observations in this book are sure to inspire readers, writers, and language lovers everywhere.
Pay with
Available payment methods and your final total are shown at checkout before payment.
Clear Information Before You Order
Cindi Book is the trade name of Cindi Book LLC, a Texas-registered online-only retailer. We provide clear contact, shipping, return, and checkout information so customers can make informed purchasing decisions.
Business & Customer Care
Cindi Book LLC
Administrative office only; no storefront or local pickup.
214-308-1733 · info@cindibook.com
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM CT
Shipping Transparency
Orders ship within the United States. Cindi Book branded titles typically arrive in 5–9 business days, including 0–2 business days of handling and 5–7 business days in transit. Supplier-fulfilled items typically arrive in 8–11 business days, including 1–3 business days of handling and 7–8 business days in transit. Business days are Monday–Friday, excluding U.S. federal holidays. Delivery estimates are not guarantees. Cindi Book items have a flat $9.99 shipping charge. Shopify Collective items use shipping rates set by the supplier. Orders containing items from different fulfillment sources may include more than one shipping charge. Your full shipping total is shown at checkout before payment.
Returns & Refunds
Standard U.S. returns are accepted for eligible new, unopened items within 30 days of carrier delivery. Returns are by mail. Customers are responsible for standard return shipping, there is no restocking fee, and standard exchanges are not offered. Once an approved return is received and inspected, the refund is issued to the original payment method within 5 business days. Damaged, defective, or incorrect items are handled at no return-shipping cost to the customer.
Return eligibility is subject to the full policy. Opened, read, or unsealed books with broken seals or visible wear are final sale. Digital downloads, gift cards, and personalized products are non-refundable. Original shipping charges are not refunded for standard returns. Contact us within 7 days of delivery about damaged, defective, or incorrect items.
Payment & Checkout
Checkout is processed securely through Shopify. Shipping charges, applicable taxes, the final order total, and available payment methods are shown before you submit payment.
Order Responsibility
Some items may ship from Cindi Book or U.S.-based publishing, manufacturing, or distribution suppliers that fulfill orders for Cindi Book. Cindi Book LLC remains the customer-service contact for order questions, delivery support, returns, and refunds.