A quotation from Terry Pratchett

Gods are not very introspective. It has never been a survival trait. The ability to cajole, threaten and terrify has always worked well enough. When you can flatten entire cities at a whim, a tendency towards quiet reflection and seeing-things-from-the-other-fellow’s-point-of-view is seldom necessary.

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) English author
Discworld No. 13, Small Gods (1992)

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A quotation from Horace

Drink! O friends, stamp wild
Bare feet on the ground.
 
[Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero
pulsanda tellus.]

Horace (65–8 BC) Roman poet, satirist, soldier, politician [Quintus Horatius Flaccus]
Odes [Carmina], Book 1, # 37, l. 1ff (1.37.1-2) (23 BC) [tr. Raffel (1983)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/horace/1961/

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A quotation from Orwell

Four legs good, two legs bad.

George Orwell (1903–1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Animal Farm, ch. 3 (1945)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/20813/

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A quotation from Josh Billings

Q. — What do mankind gennerally take the most pride in?
A. — In sumthing their nabors haint got, nor kant git.
 
[Q. — What do mankind generally take the most pride in?
A. — In something their neighbors ain’t got, nor can’t get.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1879-09 “Questions, And Answers” (1879 ed.)

More about this quote: wist.info/billings-josh/86554/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #joshbillings #competition #ego #keepingupwiththejoneses #oneupsmanship #possession #pride #statussymbol

A quotation from Eric Hoffer

The awareness of their individual blemishes and shortcomings inclines the frustrated to detect ill will and meanness in their fellow men. Self-contempt, however vague, sharpens our eyes for the imperfections of others. We usually strive to reveal in others the blemishes we hide in ourselves.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 100 (3.14.100) (1951)

More about this quote: wist.info/hoffer-eric/10579/

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A quotation from Hemingway

No catalogue of horrors ever kept men from war. Before the war you always think that it’s not you that dies. But you will die, brother, if you go to it long enough.

Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American writer
Essay (1935-09), “Notes on the Next War,” Esquire, Vol. 4, No. 3

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A quotation from Ennius

He who plans death for his foe should know well that a like death is planned for himself to share in.
 
[Qui alteri exitium parat,
Eum scire oportet sibi paratam pestem ut participet parem.]

Ennius (239–169 BC) Roman poet, writer [Quintus Ennius]
Hectoris Lytra [The Ransom of Hector], fragment [tr. Warmington (Loeb) (1913)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/ennius/86548/

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A quotation from Ben Franklin

Different Sects like different clocks, may be all near the matter, tho’ they don’t quite agree.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard Improved (1749 ed.)

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A quotation (not) from Robert Anthony

When you blame others, you give up your power to change.

Robert Anthony (contemp.) American psychologist, author
(Spurious)

More about this quote: wist.info/anthony-robert/1466/

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A quotation from Molly Ivins

Recognizing reality may not solve a problem. but it has to be the start of any solution.

Molly Ivins (1944–2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Essay (2004-06), “Imperialists’ Ball,” The Progressive magazine, Vol. 68, No. 6

More about this quote: wist.info/ivins-molly/86529/

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ADMINSTRIVIA

The site where I do my WIST reposting (friendica.world) has been down the past couple of days, presumably for PHP patching. Things appear to be back to normal, and more quotational goodness will be flowing your way shortly.

A quotation from Bill Watterson

   CALVIN: Here’s the latest poll on your performance as Dad. Your approval rating is pretty low, I’m afraid.
   CALVIN’S DAD: That’s because there’s not necessarily any connection between what’s good and what’s popular. I do what’s right, not what gets approval.
   CALVIN: You’ll never keep the job with that attitude.
   CALVIN’S DAD: If someone else offers to do it, let me know.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1994-02-10)

More about this quote: wist.info/watterson-bill/86520…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #billwatterson #calvinandhobbes #approval #doinggood #doingright #father #parenting #poll #popularity #survey

A quotation from Emily Dickinson

To own a Susan of my own
Is of itself a Bliss —
Whatever Realm I forfeit, Lord,
Continue me in this!

Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) American poet
Poem (1877 ca.; publ. 1932), No. Fr1436 / J1401

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A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

FREETHINKER, n. A miscreant who wickedly refuses to look out of a priest’s eyes, and persists in looking into them with too searching a glance.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Freethinker,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1885-01-17)

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A quotation from Hannah Arendt

If everyone always lies to you, the consequence is not that you believe the lies, but that no one believes anything at all anymore — and rightly so, because lies, by their very nature, have to be changed, to be “re-lied,” so to speak. So a lying government which pursues different goals at different times has constantly to rewrite its own history. That means that the people are deprived not only of their capacity to act, but also of their capacity to think and to judge. And with such a people you can then do what you please.

Hannah Arendt (1906–1975) German-American philosopher, political theorist
Interview (1973-10) with Roger Errera, Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (ORTF)

More about this quote: wist.info/arendt-hannah/45162/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #hannaharendt #belief #confusion #control #deceit #disbelief #judgment #lies #lying #manipulation #power #propaganda #reality #skepticism #tyranny #uncertainty

A quotation from Herman J. Mankiewicz

BERNSTEIN: Well, it’s no trick to make a lot of money — if all you want is to make a lot of money.

Herman J. Mankiewicz (1897–1953) American screenwriter, journalist, theater critic
Citizen Kane (1941) [with Orson Welles]

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#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #hermanjmankiewicz #citizenkane #orsonwelles #ambition #aspiration #avarice #earning #focus #goal #greed #money #wealth

A quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt

One curious feature about political reform is that so many people feel it is “disloyal” to attempt to rectify the abuses in one’s own party. And yet it is obvious that political morality is dependent upon the awakened conscience and private morality of the voters. Such “disloyalty” is simply an evidence of loyalty to principle.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American politician, diplomat, activist; First Lady of the US (1933–45)
Memoir (1961), The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Part 4, ch. 42 “The Democratic Convention of 1960”

More about this quote: wist.info/roosevelt-eleanor/86…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #eleanorroosevelt #loyalty #partisanship #party #politicalparty #politicalreform #politics #principle #reform #statusquo

A quotation (not) from John Adams

Because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founder, statesman; US President (1797–1801)
(Misattributed)

More about this quote: wist.info/adams-john/36561/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #johnadams #authority #character #corruption #democracy #expectations #moralcharacter #morality #power #powercorrupts

A quotation from Montesquieu

We were happy, and wished to make all happy around us. False pleasures make men haughty and severe, and such pleasures are always selfish. But true happiness inspires gentleness and benevolence, and diffuses its influence on very hand.
 
[Nous étions heureux, & nous voulions vivre avec des gens qui le fussent. Le bonheur faux rend les hommes durs & superbes, & ce bonheur ne se communique point. Le vrai bonheur les rend doux et sensibles, & ce bonheur se partage toujours.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689–1755) French political philosopher
“Arsaces and Ismenia [Arsace et Isménie]" (1742) [tr. 1797]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/86500/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #sharing #sharethewealth #benevolence #compassion #giving #happiness #haughtiness #kindness #pleasure #pride #selfishness #sensibility

A quotation from Henry Commager

It is becoming increasingly clear that it is respect for the dignity of the individual that most sharply differentiates democratic from totalitarian system. Granted this basic principle, it follows that any conduct of the state that impairs the dignity of man is dangerous. And any argument for conformity that finds its ultimate sanction in force rather than in reason strikes at the integrity of the individual, and thus at the basic principle of democracy.

Henry Steele Commager (1902–1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1954), “The Necessity of Freedom,” Freedom, Loyalty, Dissent

More about this quote: wist.info/commager-henry-steel…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #henrycommager #conformity #democracy #dignity #force #freedomofthought #individual #individuality #mandate #orthodoxy #reason #totalitarianism

A quotation from Victor Hugo

The scaffold is the only edifice that revolutions do not tear down.
 
[L’échafaud est le seul édifice que les révolutions ne démolissent pas.]

Victor Hugo (1802–1885) French writer, journalist, human rights activist, politician
Last Day of a Condemned Man [Le Dernier Jour d’un Condamné], 1832 Preface (1829) [tr. Moncrieff (2009)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/hugo-victor/86495/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #victorhugo #deathpenalty #executions #institution #revolution #scaffold

A quotation from Jean Kerr

Being on a ship is something like being pregnant. You can sit there and do absolutely nothing but stare at the water and have the nicest sense that you are accomplishing something.

Jean Kerr (1922–2003) American author and playwright [b. Bridget Jean Collins]
Essay (1970 ca.), “Confessions of a Sea-lubber,” Holiday magazine

More about this quote: wist.info/kerr-jean/86492/

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A quotation from Jean Kerr

Being on a ship is something like being pregnant. You can sit there and do absolutely nothing but stare at the water and have the nicest sense that you are accomplishing something.

Jean Kerr (1922–2003) American author and playwright [b. Bridget Jean Collins]
Essay (1970 ca.), “Confessions of a Sea-lubber,” Holiday magazine

More about this quote: wist.info/kerr-jean/86492/

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A quotation from Richard Steele

It is not only paying wages, and giving commands, that constitutes a master of a family; but prudence, equal behavior, with a readiness to protect and cherish them, is what entitles man to that character in their very hearts and sentiments.

Richard Steele (1672–1729) Anglo-Irish writer, journalist, playwright, politician
Essay (1711-10-22), The Spectator, No. 202

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A quotation from Propertius

So I will pass the night with drinking, so with song, until daylight shines its rays into my wine.
 
[Sic noctem patera, sic ducam carmine, donec
   iniciat radios in mea uina dies!]

Propertius (50–16 BC) Roman elegiac poet [Sextus Propertius]
Elegies, Book 4, Elegy 6, l. 85ff (4.6.85–86) [tr. Kline (2001)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/propertius/86488/

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A quotation from Ulysses Grant

If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason’s and Dixon’s, but between patriotism and intelligence on one side, and superstition, ambition, and ignorance on the other.

Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) American military leader, US President (1869–77)
Speech (1875-09-25), Address to the Army of the Tennessee, Annual Reunion, Des Moines, Iowa

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A quotation from Shakespeare

CICERO: Indeed, it is a strange-disposèd time.
   But men may construe things after their fashion,
   Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Julius Caesar, Act 1, sc. 3, l. 33ff (1.3.33–35) (1599)

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A quotation from Elizabeth Barrett Browning

And is it not the chief good of money, the being free from the need of thinking of it?

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) English poet
Letter (1845-09-16) to Robert Browning

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A quotation from Fran Lebowitz

The best fame is a writer’s fame. It’s enough to get a table at a good restaurant, but not enough that you get interrupted when you eat.

Fran Lebowitz (b. 1950) American journalist, essayist
Panel Discussion (1993-05-24), “Fame in the 20th Century,” Clive James (moderator), Joseph Papp Public Theater, New York City

More about this quote: wist.info/lebowitz-fran/26284/

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A quotation from Martin Luther King, Jr.

Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968) American clergyman, civil rights leader, social activist, preacher
(Attributed)

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A quotation from Shaw

THE HE-ANCIENT: Life is not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage: it can be delightful.

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish playwright and critic
Back to Methuselah, Part 5 (1921)

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A quotation from Thomas Fuller

Knaves imagine nothing can be done without knavery.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 3135 (1732)

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