WIST Quotations

wistquotes@friendica.world

WIST (“Wish I’d Said That!”) is my collection of quotations (wist.info) which I find meaningful, moving, amusing (intended or not), or well-phrased.

Despite the name, this is not just a collection of quotations whose sentiments I agree with (though that’s true for the majority of stuff I collect). In some cases there are ideas that I disagree with, firmly; in those cases, though, I’ve included the quote because I admire the way it’s phrased, or because it’s a classic statement of a particular sentiment, or else I thought it was so absurd that it made me smile just to read it. In short, "Quoting is not (necessarily) endorsing."

One thing I make an effort to do is research and properly cite each quotation I publish. Further sourcing information (and notes and translations) can be found on the WIST website.

This site will serve as a rich-text social media republishing of new and updated quotations from wist.info (since nobody actually goes to blogs any more). I welcome conversation about the quotes I post.

I was previously cross-posting at wist@my-space.social, WISTquote@zirk.us, and wist@diasp.org. More info on the background of my collection here: wist.info/about-wist/

Additional intro material: friendica.world/display/84b6ef…

Network posts

https://wist.info ✔

WIST Quotations

Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 5:26 PM

WIST Quotations
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 5:26 PM

A quotation from Abraham Lincoln

The people — the people — are the rightful masters of both Congresses, and courts — not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
Speech (1859-09-16), Columbus, Ohio

More about this quote: wist.info/lincoln-abraham/3941…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #abrahamlincoln #abelincoln #democracy #votingrights #representativegovernment #checksandbalances #citizenry #congress #Constitution #courts #democracy #people #voting #wethepeople

Lincoln, Abraham - Speech (1859-09-16), Columbus, Ohio | WIST Quotations

The people -- the people -- are the rightful masters of both Congresses, and courts -- not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.

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Bellarome

in reply to WIST Quotations Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 12:04 AM

Abraham points out that in a constitutional republic, the answer to bad governance is not abandoning the Constitution, but to utilize the Constitution’s civic power to take action against those who distort its intentions.

in reply to Bellarome

WIST Quotations

in reply to Bellarome Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 12:07 AM

Which requires both a constitution with sufficient safeguards, and the will of those in the government, and ultimately outside of it, to act.

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WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 5:26 PM •

Lincoln, Abraham - Speech (1859-09-16), Columbus, Ohio | WIST Quotations

Bellarome

WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 5:26 PM