I read a long time ago that this quote was originally (and surprisingly) coined by the science fiction writer Eric Frank Russell. It certainly fits his humorous

I read a long time ago that this quote was originally (and surprisingly) coined by the science fiction writer Eric Frank Russell. It certainly fits his humorous style, and the type of stories he used to write. Unfortunately, I can't remember the source of this claim. However, this article does quote Arthur C Clarke's reference to the 'curse': As the old Chinese curse has it: “May you live in interesting times,” and the twentieth century is probably the most “interesting” period mankind has ever known. Clarke and Russell were (as far as I recall) friends at university in the 1930s, which certainly fits the time period attributed to the quote. So, I go with Eric Frank Russell, a writer who definitely had the finesse to create something so enigmatic and seemingly-authentic.