WIST Quotations

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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, 8:42 PM

WIST Quotations
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 8:42 PM

A quotation (possibly) from George Jean Nathan

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.

George Jean Nathan (1892–1958) American editor and critic
(Attributed)

More about this quote: wist.info/nathan-george-jean/2…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #georgejeannathan #disengagement #priorities #apathy #democracy #election #extremism #representativegovernment #voting

Nathan, George Jean - (Attributed) | WIST Quotations

Bad officials are elected by good people who do not vote. Quoted in Clifton Fadiman, ed., The American Treasury, 1455—1955 (1955), but not found in any of Nathan's writings.

^{WIST Quotations}

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WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 8:42 PM •

Nathan, George Jean - (Attributed) | WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 8:42 PM