Quote of the Day (Robert Benchley, on Surprise at Things Done Well by Others)

“We are constantly being surprised that people did things well before we were born. We are constantly remarking on the fact that things are done well by people other than ourselves. The Japanese are a remarkable little people, we say, as if we were doing them a favor. He is an Arab, but you ought to hear him play the zither. Why but?” —American humorist Robert Benchley (1889-1945), “Isn't It Remarkable?”, in The Benchley Roundup: A Selection by Nathaniel Benchley of His Favorites (1954)