Today's Cryptogram Challenge

Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim

👋 Hello,

Ready for a mental workout? 🧠 A Cryptogram is a classic quotation puzzle frequently featured in daily publications. I source the best and most challenging ones to help keep our minds sharp and boost cognitive health!

🧩 How the Cryptogram Works

In a Cryptogram, a single letter always stands for another letter.

(Example: AXYDLBAAXR might translate to LONGFELLOW. This is just an example and does not apply to today’s puzzle.)

If this is your first time, don’t be intimidated—the game is very addictive, and you will quickly master the technique! If you find yourself stumped, simply take a break and return to it later. ☕

📋 Instructions & Community Etiquette

Please follow these guidelines for the best experience for everyone:

Solving: I suggest printing the puzzle 🖨️ and working on it with pen and paper. You can also copy and paste the text into the helper link below if you prefer a digital tool. (I recommend that you do NOT look at the letter counter in the Helper for a better challenge).
Share Time, Not Answers: 🚫 DO NOT post the solution in the general comments. Please DO post your solving time ⏱️ and a brief note on how you made out.
Solutions & Hints: Send your solution to me via private reply 📩 only. If you need a hint for today’s puzzle, feel free to ASK THE GROUP FOR HELP! 🙋

🔗 HAL’S CRYPTOGRAM HELPER

💡 Post a Clever Clue

Feel free to post a fun or clever clue—the more tangential to the quotation the better! Just remember that your clue must not contain the actual words of the solved quote.

Good luck, and enjoy the challenge! 🍀

1 posted on 01/27/2026 9:10:40 PM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets

To: 4Liberty; absalom01; alicewonders; AloneInMass; Apple Pan Dowdy; Aria; AUsome Joy; babyfreep; ...

Tough one today.

If you need a clue ask the group to send you a letter to your private reply.

4 minutes good
3 minutes excellent
2 minutes exceptional
90 seconds superior

2 posted on 01/27/2026 9:11:52 PM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

Previous puzzle Tuesday, January 27, 2026

PS PR EPQQPTBKS SV FOS M YMJ SV BJEOLRSMJE RVYOSGPJF CGOJ GPR RMKMLA EOWOJER BWVJ GPR JVS BJEOLRSMJEPJF PS. — BWSVJ RPJTKMPL

Solution to previous Puzzle: (select the yellow text with your cursor to read):

IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET A MAN TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING WHEN HIS SALARY DEPENDS UPON HIS NOT UNDERSTANDING IT. — UPTON SINCLAIR

HAL'S CRYPTOGRAM HELPER

3 posted on 01/27/2026 9:12:25 PM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

Just over a minute, I think. Fifth word then first word.

4 posted on 01/27/2026 9:15:16 PM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)

To: grey_whiskers

I might have gotten the first word and then the fifth. Glad it wasn’t as difficult as I feared. And a GREAT! clue.

5 posted on 01/27/2026 9:21:01 PM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

Not too bad - 2.5 minutes, and I'm not a speed freak.

6 posted on 01/27/2026 9:21:29 PM PST by Yossarian

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

7 posted on 01/27/2026 9:25:51 PM PST by Political Junkie Too ( * LAAP = Left-wing Activist Agitprop Press (formerly known as the MSM))

To: grey_whiskers

Record speed here as well.

8 posted on 01/27/2026 9:26:24 PM PST by GreatRoad ('In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act' )

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

9 posted on 01/27/2026 9:43:31 PM PST by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )

To: Political Junkie Too

10 posted on 01/27/2026 9:49:39 PM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)

To: grey_whiskers

11 posted on 01/27/2026 10:03:49 PM PST by Political Junkie Too ( * LAAP = Left-wing Activist Agitprop Press (formerly known as the MSM))

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

Paraphrasing the immortal words of one of America's smartest Presidents.

12 posted on 01/28/2026 3:01:29 AM PST by SharpenedEdge (Stockpile. Prepare. Arm. Train. A Storm is coming.)

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

13 posted on 01/28/2026 3:35:36 AM PST by Apple Pan Dowdy (... as American as Apple Pie. Normal is not coming back, but Jesus will. )

To: Apple Pan Dowdy

Cute. Aren’t we all ONBGGDZH at that age?

14 posted on 01/28/2026 3:38:08 AM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

This is part of a longer quote.

15 posted on 01/28/2026 4:59:58 AM PST by T.B. Yoits

To: Lonesome in Massachussets

16 posted on 01/28/2026 5:46:26 AM PST by manna

To: Apple Pan Dowdy

Thanks, APD. I had pieces, but your clue opened up the rest.

17 posted on 01/28/2026 6:39:20 AM PST by John4.11 (Let your faith ROAR so loud that you can't hear what doubt is)

I’m glad y’all did so well. I’ve been spinning my wheels on this one. Finally got it, but it took a LONG time.

18 posted on 01/28/2026 10:21:10 AM PST by gitmo (If your theology doesn’t become your biography, what good is it?)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794