While seemingly old-fashioned compared to the many online resources, quotation dictionaries are sometimes the only source for locating a full citation. The dictionaries are used for multiple purposes: to verify a known quotation or to find a full citation; to locate quotations by a particular person; to find quotations related to a profession such as law or teaching; or to trace quotations relevant to a location or an ethnicity. Quotation dictionaries by subject may be useful for finding relevant quotes to enliven a speech or writing. Some people simply read quotation books for inspiration or amusement.
Quotation dictionaries can be arranged or indexed by specific subject or broad topic, author, time period, or by keyword. A thorough keyword index is usually the most useful for locating a known quotation if the author is unknown. As discussed in the section on Full-text Searching (Free Online Resources), it is sometimes necessary to search on just a portion of the full quotation or on the most unusual keywords. Reliable quotation books include full citations to the source.
Most public and academic libraries include at least several quotation books, usually in the reference collection. Information about locating quotation dictionaries can be found in the section on Tips and Additional Resources. Some of the most commonly-found works are listed here, along with examples of the various types of dictionaries. In many cases, there are multiple editions of these quotation sources. The links for each resource will display fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog.
The New Yale Book of Quotations by 
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations by 
Cassell Companion to Quotations by 
The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations by 
Hoyt's New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations Drawn from the Speech and Literature of All Nations, Ancient and Modern, Classic and Popular, in English and Foreign Text. With the Names, Dates, and Nationality of Quoted Authors, and Copious Indexes... by The Macmillan Dictionary of Quotations by 
The New Penguin Dictionary of Modern Quotations by 
Oxford Dictionary of Quotations by 
Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations Requested From the Congressional Research Service by Simpson's Contemporary Quotations by Virtually any subject lends itself to a compilation of quotations: gardening, language, reading, war, dogs, love, humor, political science, science, religion, sports, the environment, film, the Civil War, and many others. Search library catalogs under a subject followed by --quotations, maxims, etc. or --quotations. For example: Nature--quotations, maxims, etc.; Cats--Quotations, maxims, etc.
Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations : A Collection of Approximately 27,000 Quotations Pertaining to Archaeology, Architecture, Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Cosmology, Darwinism, Engineering, Geology, Mathematics, Medicine, Nature ... by Political Quotations : A Collection of Notable Sayings on Politics from Antiquity Through 1989 by 
The Quotable Founding Fathers: a treasury of 2,500 wise and witty quotations from the men and women who created America by 
The Quotable Spirit: a treasury of religious and spiritual quotations from ancient times to the twentieth century by 
The Ultimate Dictionary of Sports Quotations by Numerous quotation dictionaries are dedicated to particular individuals' pearls of wisdom. Both William Shakespeare and Abraham Lincoln are so popular that dozens of quotation books have been published. Mark Twain, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Oscar Wilde, and Maya Angelou are just a few of the many people known for their wit and wisdom. While they are frequently quoted online, full citations are often lacking—a problem that may be solved with these special quotation books.
Eleanor Roosevelt - In Her Words by 
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Companion by The Quotable Founding Fathers: A Treasury of 2,500 Wise and Witty Quotations from the Men and Women Who Created America by 
The Ultimate Quotable Einstein by 
The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln by 
The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain by As with quotation dictionaries by subject or individual, virtually any profession or field of knowledge may have a book of quotations dedicated to it. Medical, legal, business, literary, culinary, gardening, art or teaching professionals may find inspirational and amusing quotations in these types of volumes.
Advice to Writers: A Compendium of Quotes, Anecdotes, and Writerly Wisdom from a Dazzling Array of Literary Lights by 
The Executive's Book of Quotations by 
The International Education Quotations Encyclopedia by 
Oxford Dictionary of Medical Quotations by 
The Ultimate Lawyer Quote Book by Numerous books of quotations specific to geographic regions or nationalities, ethnicities, or particular groups have been published. Here are just a few examples.
Bartlett's Familiar Black Quotations by 
Contemporary Hispanic Quotations by 
The Dictionary of Canadian Quotations by 
The Giant Book of American Quotations by 
In Our Own Words :A Treasury of Quotations from the African-American Community by My Soul Looks Back, 'Less I Forget: A Collection of Quotations by People of Color by 
The Quotable Jewish Woman: Wisdom, Inspiration & Humor from the Mind and Heart by The Oxford English Dictionary defines a proverb as "a short, traditional, and pithy saying; a concise sentence, typically metaphorical or alliterative in form, stating a general truth or piece of advice; an adage or maxim."1
While some dictionaries provide slightly different definitions for maxim, adage, and aphorism, in many cases they are used synonymously with proverb. These sorts of sayings share commonality in that they are anonymous. They are traditional to a particular culture or may express a sentiment used worldwide, but the original author is unknown. Some proverb collections provide explanations for unusual sayings; others include written examples over time.
The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs by 
Dictionary of Proverbs and Their Origins by The Macmillan Book of Proverbs, Maxims, and Famous Phrases by 
The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs by 
The Routledge Book of World Proverbs by 
There's a Saying for That: Proverbs From Around the World by 
