# BrainyQuote API

> BrainyQuote returns famous quotes by topic, person, and daily category as a workflow and API.

BrainyQuote finds quotes on the closest matching topic page and returns them in displayed order; enter a topic. Get quotes by person returns a person's description and quotes with topic tags and links; enter a person's name. Get quote of the day returns the quote, author, and date for a chosen daily category; enter a category.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/brainyquote
- Handle: `@brainyquote`
- Category: [Education](https://fous.com/tools/category/education)
- Source website: https://brainyquote.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026

## Methods

### Get quote of the day

Operation `get_quote_of_the_day`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get the quote shown today in a chosen BrainyQuote daily category, with its author and quote link. The date follows the day shown on BrainyQuote.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `category` | string | no | `"nature"` | Daily quote section to read, for example nature. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "category": {
      "enum": [
        "general",
        "love",
        "nature",
        "funny",
        "art"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "general",
      "description": "Daily quote section to read, for example nature.",
      "examples": [
        "nature",
        "love",
        "art"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {},
    {
      "category": "nature"
    },
    {
      "category": "love"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `date` | string | `"2026-09-29"` | Day shown for these quotes. |
| `author` | string | `"Dolley Madison"` |  |
| `category` | string | `"general"` | Chosen section. |
| `quote_link` | string | `"https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/dolley_madison_362393"` | Page for the quote. |
| `quote_text` | string | `"It is one of my sources of happiness never to desire a knowledge of other people's business."` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "date": "2026-09-29",
  "author": "Dolley Madison",
  "category": "general",
  "quote_link": "https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/dolley_madison_362393",
  "quote_text": "It is one of my sources of happiness never to desire a knowledge of other people's business."
}
```

### Get quotes by person

Operation `get_quotes_by_person`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get a person’s BrainyQuote description and quotes in page order, with topic tags and links. Up to 100 quotes; BrainyQuote may limit large requests.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `person` | string | yes | `"Maya Angelou"` | Name of the person whose quotes you want, for example Maya Angelou. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `20` | Maximum number of quotes to return, for example 20. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "person"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "person": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Name of the person whose quotes you want, for example Maya Angelou.",
      "examples": [
        "Maya Angelou",
        "Martin Luther King Jr."
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of quotes to return, for example 20.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        20,
        4,
        25
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "person": "Maya Angelou",
      "max_results": 20
    },
    {
      "person": "Martin Luther King Jr.",
      "max_results": 4
    },
    {
      "person": "Maya Angelou",
      "max_results": 25
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `person` | string | `"Maya Angelou"` | Person’s name as shown on BrainyQuote. |
| `quotes` | array |  |  |
| `quotes[].topics` | array |  |  |
| `quotes[].quote_link` | string | `"https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/maya_angelou_101310"` |  |
| `quotes[].quote_text` | string | `"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."` |  |
| `description` | string or null | `"American poet, author, and civil rights activist (1928–2014)."` | Short description of the person. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "person": "Maya Angelou",
  "max_results": 20
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "person": "Maya Angelou",
  "quotes": [
    {
      "topics": [
        "Change",
        "Attitude",
        "You"
      ],
      "quote_link": "https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/maya_angelou_101310",
      "quote_text": "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."
    },
    {
      "topics": [
        "Truth",
        "World",
        "Facts"
      ],
      "quote_link": "https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/maya_angelou_125778",
      "quote_text": "There's a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth."
    },
    {
      "topics": [
        "Love",
        "Hope",
        "Destination"
      ],
      "quote_link": "https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/maya_angelou_389446",
      "quote_text": "Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."
    }
  ],
  "description": "American poet, author, and civil rights activist (1928–2014)."
}
```

### Search quotes by topic

Operation `search_quotes_by_topic`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Find famous quotes on the closest matching BrainyQuote topic page, in displayed order. Short author descriptions are checked for the first 8 distinct authors; others may be unavailable.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `topic` | string | yes | `"team work"` | A subject to find quotes about, such as leadership or team work. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `4` | Maximum number of quotes to return, for example 20. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "topic"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "topic": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "A subject to find quotes about, such as leadership or team work.",
      "examples": [
        "team work",
        "leadership",
        "teamwork"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of quotes to return, for example 20.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        4,
        65,
        100
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "topic": "team work",
      "max_results": 4
    },
    {
      "topic": "leadership",
      "max_results": 65
    },
    {
      "topic": "teamwork",
      "max_results": 100
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `quotes` | array |  | Quotes in BrainyQuote topic-page order. |
| `quotes[].author` | string | `"Mattie Stepanek"` |  |
| `quotes[].quote_url` | string | `"https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mattie_stepanek_319300"` |  |
| `quotes[].quote_text` | string | `"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."` |  |
| `quotes[].author_description` | string or null | `"American Poet"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "topic": "team work",
  "max_results": 4
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "quotes": [
    {
      "author": "Mattie Stepanek",
      "quote_url": "https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mattie_stepanek_319300",
      "quote_text": "Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.",
      "author_description": "American Poet"
    },
    {
      "author": "Mike Krzyzewski",
      "quote_url": "https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mike_krzyzewski_295914",
      "quote_text": "To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless.",
      "author_description": "American Coach"
    },
    {
      "author": "Vince Lombardi",
      "quote_url": "https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/vince_lombardi_151259",
      "quote_text": "Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.",
      "author_description": "American Coach"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@brainyquote",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_quote_of_the_day",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {},
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@brainyquote\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_quote_of_the_day\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {},\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@brainyquote",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_quote_of_the_day",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {},
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/brainyquote`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `get_quote_of_the_day`: Get quote of the day. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `get_quotes_by_person`: Get quotes by person. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `search_quotes_by_topic`: Search quotes by topic. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-brainyquote https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/brainyquote --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Find quotes about a subject for presentations.
- Collect a person's quotes and topic tags.
- Display a daily quote for a chosen category.

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this BrainyQuote tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a BrainyQuote account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from brainyquote.com when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

### How can I find quotes about a topic?

Use Search quotes by topic with a subject such as leadership or team work.

### How can I get quotes from a person?

Use Get quotes by person with the person's name.

### How can I get today's quote in a category?

Use Get quote of the day with a daily category.

## Related

- [Wikiquote API](https://fous.com/tools/wikiquote.md): Quotations with context and attribution from Wikiquote.
- [Goodreads API](https://fous.com/tools/goodreads.md): Goodreads returns public book searches, matched-book details with variable editions, popular or newest reviews, author books by popularity or date, and up to 100 quotes.
- [Poetry Foundation API](https://fous.com/tools/poetry-foundation.md): Poetry Foundation provides poems, poets, and poetry resources; poem searches follow its search order, while full text is limited to publicly available poems.
- [Britannica API](https://fous.com/tools/britannica.md): Britannica returns public encyclopedia articles with introductions, quick facts, headings, update dates and images, plus search results with titles, descriptions, links and images when shown.
- [Wikipedia API](https://fous.com/tools/wikipedia.md): Wikipedia returns article summaries, images, facts, relevant search matches, readable text and daily historical events, plus human-view counts from July 2015 onward.
- [Bible Gateway API](https://fous.com/tools/bible-gateway.md): Bible Gateway provides passage readings up to one chapter, searches returning up to 100 related verses, and a daily verse that may differ by date or translation availability.
- [Merriam-Webster API](https://fous.com/tools/merriam-webster.md): Merriam-Webster provides definitions, pronunciations, examples, word histories, synonyms, antonyms, and related words for publicly listed entries, plus Word of the Day entries for today or published archive dates.
- [Horoscope.com API](https://fous.com/tools/horoscope-com.md): Daily horoscopes and zodiac sign readings.
- [All Education tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/education)