A quotation from John Adams

The only thing most people do better than anyone else is read their own handwriting.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
(Attributed)


More about this quote: wist.info/adams-john/35775/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #cursive #handwriting #idiosyncrasy #writing #legibility

A quotation from Einstein

Our situation on this earth seems strange. Every one of us appears here, involuntarily and uninvited, for a short stay, without knowing the why and the wherefore. In our daily lives we feel only that man is here for the sake of others, for those whom we love and for many other beings whose fate is connected with our own.
 
[Seltsam erscheint unsere Lage auf dieser Erde. Jeder von uns erscheint da unfreiwillig und ungebeten zu kurzem Aufenthalt, ohne zu wissen, warum und wozu. Im täglichen Leben fühlen wir nur, dass der Mensch um anderer willen da ist, solcher, die wir lieben, und zahlreicher anderer, ihm Schicksalsverbundener Wesen.]

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-American physicist
Essay (1932-09), “My Credo [Mein Glaubensbekenntnis]”


More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/einstein-albert/201/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #einstein #alberteinstein #charity #connections #life #lifetime #meaningoflife #others #purpose #service #sympathy

A quotation from Montesquieu

What orators lack in depth, they give you in length.
 
[Ce qui manque aux orateurs en profondeur, ils vous le donnent en longueur.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689–1755) French political philosopher
Pensées Diverses [Assorted Thoughts], # 828 / 1086 (1720-1755) [tr. Clark (2012)]


More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/85620/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #depth #length #longwindedness #orator #oratory #profundity #speech #speechifying #wordiness

A quotation from Henry Commager

The effort to equate loyalty with conformity is misguided because it assumes that there is a fixed content to loyalty and that this can be determined and defined. But loyalty is a principle, and eludes definition except in its own terms. It is devotion to the best interests of the commonwealth, and may require hostility to the particular policies which the government pursues, the particular practices which the economy undertakes, the particular institutions which society maintains.

Henry Steele Commager (1902–1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1947-09), “Who Is Loyal to America?” sec. 2, Harper’s Magazine, Vol. 195, No. 1168


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

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #commager #henrycommager #conformity #dissent #loyalty #patriotism #principle

A quotation from Carl Sagan

Claims that cannot be tested, assertions immune to disproof are veridically worthless, whatever value they may have in inspiring us or in exciting our sense of wonder.

Carl Sagan (1934–1996) American scientist and writer
The Demon-Haunted World, ch. 10 “The Dragon in My Garage” (1995)


More about this quote: wist.info/sagan-carl/85616/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #carlsagan #assertion #claims #disproof #disproving #excitement #inspiration #proof #proving #testing #theory #truth #validation #verification #wonder

Khurram Wadee reshared this.

The media in this post is not displayed to visitors. To view it, please log in.

A quotation from Victor Hugo

He had slipped, climbed, rolled, searched, walked, persevered, that is all. Such is the secret of all triumphs.
 
[Il avait glissé, grimpé, roulé, cherché, marché, persévéré, voilà tout. Secret de tous les triomphes.]

Victor Hugo (1802–1885) French writer, journalist, human rights activist, politician
The Man Who Laughs [L’Homme qui rit; The Laughing Man; By Order of the King], Part 1, Book 3, ch. 1 (1.3.1) (1869) [tr. Unknown, Authorized (1871)]

Victor Hugo quote


More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/hugo-victor/85611/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #victorhugo #themanwholaughs #accomplishment #courage #determination #doggedness #endurance #meme #moveforward #perseverance #persistence #sticktoit #success #tenacity #triumph

Rhysy reshared this.

A quotation from Jean Kerr

OSCAR: I hate a friendly divorce. A lawyer is never entirely comfortable with a friendly divorce, any more than a good mortician wants to finish his job and then have the patient sit up on the table.

Jean Kerr (1922–2003) American author and playwright [b. Bridget Jean Collins]
Mary, Mary, Act 1 (1961)


More about this quote: wist.info/kerr-jean/85607/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #jeankerr #marymary #amicability #attorney #conflict #divorce #friendliness #lawyer

Indio Gringo ® reshared this.

A quotation from Richard Steele

Though it is by the benefit of nature that length of time thus blots out the violence of afflictions; yet with tempers too much given to pleasure, it is almost necessary to revive the old places of grief in our memory, and ponder step by step on past life, to lead the mind into that sobriety of thought which poises the heart, and makes it beat with due time, without being quickened with desire, or retarded with despair, from its proper and equal motion.

Richard Steele (1672–1729) Anglo-Irish writer, journalist, playwright, politician
Essay (1710-06-06), “On the Death of Friends,” The Tatler, No. 181


More about this quote: wist.info/steele-richard/85605…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #richardsteele #affliction #consideration #contemplation #emotion #grief #memory #passageoftime #pleasure #remembrance #retrospect #solace #time #unhappiness

in reply to WIST Quotations

A quotation from Propertius

All things in the world are not suited to all men alike, nor is any prize secured by a chariot no better than its rivals.
 
[Omnia non pariter rerum sunt omnibus apta,
Palma nec ex aequo ducitur ulla iugo.]

Propertius (50–16 BC) Roman elegiac poet [Sextus Propertius]
Elegies, Book 4, Elegy 9, l. 7ff (4.9.7–9) [tr. Goold (Loeb) (1990)]


More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/propertius/85603/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #propertius #ability #competition #excellence #fame #field #lane #superiority #talent

A quotation from Shakespeare

FABIAN If this were played upon a stage now, I could
   condemn it as an improbable fiction.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Twelfth Night, Act 3, sc. 4, l. 136ff (3.4.136-137) (1601)


More about this quote: wist.info/shakespeare-william/…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #shakespeare #twelfthnight #fiction #improbability #lampshading #plausibility #stage #theater #truth

A quotation from Samuel Johnson

The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret, is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it; for however absurd it may be thought to boast an honour by an act which shows that it was conferred without merit, yet most men seem rather inclined to confess the want of virtue than of importance, and more1 show their influence, though at the expense of their probity, than glide through lift with no other pleasure than the private consciousness of fidelity; which, while it is preserved, must be without praise, except from the single person who tries and knows it.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1750-05-01), The Rambler, No. 13


More about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/2153/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #samueljohnson #boasting #ego #importance #pride #probity #promisekeeping #secret #trust #trustworthiness #vanity #virtue

reshared this

A quotation from Ingersoll

Strange! that a world cursed by God, filled with temptations and thick with fiends, should be the only place where hope exists, the only place where man can repent, the only place where reform is possible! Strange! that heaven, filled with angels and presided over by God, is the only place where reformation is utterly impossible! Yet these are the teachings of all the believers in the eternity of punishment.

Robert Green Ingersoll (1833–1899) American lawyer, freethinker, orator
Lecture (1881-05-01) “The Great Infidels,” Booth’s Theater, New York City


More about this quote: wist.info/ingersoll-robert-gre…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ingersoll #robertingersoll #robertgreeningersoll #Christianity #damnation #earth #eternalpunishment #God #heaven #hope #lastchance #penitence #reforming #repentance #salvation #sin #temptation #world

A quotation from Adlai Stevenson

Ignorance is stubborn and prejudice dies hard.

Adlai Stevenson II (1900–1965) American politician, diplomat, statesman
Speech (1963-10-01), “Statement on the Draft Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,” Committee III, United Nations, New York City


More about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-adlai-ewin…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #adlaistevenson #discrimination #ignorance #prejudice #racism

Khurram Wadee reshared this.

A quotation from Disraeli

The Disappointment of Manhood succeeds to the delusion of Youth; let us hope that the heritage of Old Age is not Despair!

Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881) English politician and author
Vivian Grey, Book 8, ch. 5 (1827)


More about this quote: wist.info/disraeli-benjamin/85…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #disraeli #adult #adulthood #age #aging #generation #maturity #oldage #youth

TheZorse reshared this.

A quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson

The world is so full of a number of things,
I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Poem (1885), “Happy Thought,” A Child’s Garden of Verses


More about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-robert-lou…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #robertlouisstevenson #variety #abundance #blessings #bounty #happiness #plenty #satisfaction

A quotation from Horace

Well begun is half done; dare to be wise; begin!
 
[Dimidium facti qui coepit habet; sapere aude;
incipe!]

Horace (65–8 BC) Roman poet, satirist, soldier, politician [Quintus Horatius Flaccus]
Epistles [Epistularum, Letters], Book 1, ep. 2 “To Lollius,” l. 40ff (1.2.40-41) (20 BC) [tr. Fairclough (Loeb) (1926)]

Well begun is half done; dare to be wise; begin! - Horace


More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/horace/32340/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #horace #begin #beginning #boldness #daring #encouragement #seek #start #strive #wisdom

A quotation from Orwell

The weakness of the child is that it starts with a blank sheet. It neither understands nor questions the society in which it lives, and because of its credulity other people can work upon it, infecting it with the sense of inferiority and the dread of offending against mysterious, terrible laws.

George Orwell (1903–1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1948-06), “‘Such, Such Were the Joys …’,” Partisan Review (1952-09)


More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/35818/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #authority #child #childabuse #childrearing #credulity #inferiority #obedience #tabularasa

A quotation not from Thomas Carlyle

The block of granite which was an obstacle in the path of the weak, becomes a steppingstone in the path of the strong.

Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish essayist and historian
(Misattributed)


Much more about this quote: wist.info/carlyle-thomas/728/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #challenge #circumstance #obstacle #opportunity #overcoming #steppingup #strength #weakness

A quotation from Doctor Who

   ROMANA: Don’t you think that’s a bit dangerous?
   THE DOCTOR: No, I don’t! What could possibly go — (The TARDIS lurches, knocking the Doctor over) — wrong? You know, I’ve simply got to stop saying that! Every single time I say “What could possibly go wrong?” something goes — oh! (The TARDIS lurches again, knocking both over) It’s uncanny, isn’t it?

Doctor Who (1963–1989) British science fiction television series, original run (BBC)
17×05 “The Horns of Nimon,” Part 1 (1979-12-22) [w. Anthony Read]


More about this quote: wist.info/doctor-who-1963/8553…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #fourthdoctor #romana #coincidence #doctorwho #gowrong #irony #temptingfate

A quotation from Shakespeare

GLENDOWER: I can call spirits from the vasty deep.
HOTSPUR: Why, so can I, or so can any man;
   But will they come when you do call for them?

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Henry IV, Part 1, Act 3, sc. 1, l. 55ff (3.1.55-57) (1597)


More about this quote: wist.info/shakespeare-william/…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #shakespeare #henryiv #occult #boast #braggadocio #bragging #ghosts #influence #magic #power #spirits #supernatural

A quotation from Josh Billings

I never knu a man to brag ov hiz munny, or hiz pedigree, who had enny thing else worth bragging about.
 
[I never knew a man to brag of his money, or his pedigree, who had anything else worth bragging about.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1877-10 (1877 ed.)


More about this quote: wist.info/billings-josh/85536/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #joshbillings #ancestry #braggart #bragging #ego #lineage #money #pedigree #praiseworthiness #pride #value #wealth #worth #worthiness

A quotation from Eric Hoffer

Though they seem at opposite poles, fanatics of all kinds are actually crowded together at one end. It is the fanatic and the moderate who are poles apart and never meet. The fanatics of various hues eye each other with suspicion and are ready to fly at each other’s throat. But they are neighbors and almost of one family. They hate each other with the hatred of brothers.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 13, § 62 (3.13.62) (1951)


More about this quote: wist.info/hoffer-eric/6656/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #erichoffer #extremism #extremist #fanatic #fanaticism #hatred #moderate #moderation #onetrueway #opposites #truebeliever

Rhysy reshared this.

A quotation from Cicero

MARCUS: There is naturally in our minds a quite insatiable longing to discover truth.
 
[Natura inest in mentibus nostris insatiabilis quaedam cupiditas veri.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 1, ch. 19 (1.19.) / sec. 44 (1.44) (45 BC) [tr. Douglas (1985)]


More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/cicero-marcus-tulliu…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #cicero #tusculandisputations #desire #inquiry #intellect #mind #questioning #truth #truthseeking

A quotation from George Herbert

                                           A civil guest
Will no more talk all, than eat all, the feast.

George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Poem (1614), “The Church-Porch,” ll. 305-306, The Temple (1633)


More about this quote: wist.info/herbert-george/85527…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #georgeherbert #breeding #civility #conversation #guest #hospitality #monologue #politeness #talking

A quotation from Ta-Nehisi Coates

I don’t really worry about the young, whose excesses are confined to lecture halls and quadrangles, so much as I fear the old, whose tyrannies are legislative.

Ta-Nehisi Coates (b. 1975) American writer, journalist, educator
The Message, ch. 3 “Bearing the Burning Cross” (2024)


More about this quote: wist.info/coates-ta-nehisi/855…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #TaNehisiCoates #debate #elders #extremism #legislation #power #tyranny #youth #radicals

Schall und Rauch reshared this.

A quotation from Gracian

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
 
[Al varón sabio más le aprovechan sus enemigos que al necio sus amigos.]

Baltasar Gracián y Morales (1601–1658) Spanish Jesuit priest, writer, philosopher
The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 84 (1647) [tr. Jacobs (1892)]


More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/gracian-y-morales-ba…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #gracian #baltasargracian #advantage #criticism #critics #enemy #feedback #friend #opponent #opposition #pressure

A quotation from Bertrand Russell

If you wish a man to commit some abominable crime, from which he would naturally recoil in horror, you first teach him loyalty to a gang of arch-criminals, and then make his crime appear to him as exemplifying the virtue of loyalty. Of this process, patriotism is the most perfect instance.

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) English mathematician and philosopher
Education and the Social Order [Education and the Modern World], ch. 1 “The Individual vs. the Citizen” (1932)


More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/855…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #virtue #coercion #conscience #influence #loyalty #patriotism #wrongdoing

A quotation from Molly Ivins

Wake me up when impending egalitarianism is a problem. In the meantime, oligarchy is eating our ass, our dreams, our country, our heritage, our democracy, our justice, and our tax code.

Molly Ivins (1944–2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Essay (2001-04), “Wake Me When We’re Equal,” The Progressive, Vol. 65, No. 4


More about this quote: wist.info/ivins-molly/85517/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #mollyivins #bigbusiness #egalitarianism #equality #oligarchy #socialill #wealth

The Old Tech Writer reshared this.

A quotation from James Howell

By seeing one thou knowest him half, by hearing him speak thou knowst all.
 
[Vedendo uno conosci mezzo, udendolo parlar il conosci tutto.]

James Howell (c. 1594–1666) Welsh historian, writer, aphorist
Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “Proverbs in Italian” (1659)
[compiler]


More about this quote: wist.info/howell-james/85513/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #jameshowell #proverb #character #insight #personality #proverb #sight #sound #speech #tells

A quotation from Bill Watterson

   CALVIN: (watching TV) Why isn’t my life like this situation comedy? Why don’t I have a bunch of friends with nothing to do but drop by and instigate wacky adventures? Why aren’t my conversations peppered with spontaneous witticisms? Why don’t my friends demonstrate heartfelt concern for my well-being when I have problems?
   HOBBES: Why don’t you know any gorgeous babes?
   CALVIN: I gotta get my life some writers.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1995-11-03)

Calvin and Hobbes (1995-11-03)


More about this quote: wist.info/watterson-bill/85505…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #billwatterson #calvinandhobbes #autonomy #comedy #reallife #realworld #reality #selfimprovement #situationcomedy #television #writers

Khurram Wadee reshared this.

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

FOE, n. A person instigated by his wicked nature to deny one’s merits or exhibit superior merits of his own.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Foe,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1884-12-06)


More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/85503…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #

Khurram Wadee reshared this.

The media in this post is not displayed to visitors. To view it, please log in.

A quotation from Montesquieu

To delight in reading is to trade life’s dreary moments for moments of pure joy.
 
[Aimer à lire, c’est faire un échange des heures d’ennui que l’lon doit avoir en sa vie contre des heures délicieuses.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689–1755) French political philosopher
Pensées Diverses [Assorted Thoughts], # 1632 / 1143 (1720-1755) [ed. Guterman (1963)]

Montesquieu quote


More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/78314/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #pensees #books #boredom #delight #dreariness #ennui #entertainment #joy #meme #pleasure #reading

M. Grégoire reshared this.

A quotation from Margaret Mead

The children must be taught how to think, not what to think.

Margaret Mead (1901–1978) American anthropologist
Coming of Age in Samoa, ch. 14 (1928)


More about this quote: wist.info/mead-margaret/85496/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #margaretmead #belief #education #orthodoxy #problemsolving #solutions #teaching #thinking #thought

A quotation from Henry Commager

The concept of loyalty as conformity is a false one. It is narrow and restrictive, denies freedom of thought and of conscience, and is irremediably stained by private and selfish considerations.

Henry Steele Commager (1902–1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1947-09), “Who Is Loyal to America?” sec. 3, Harper’s Magazine, Vol. 195, No. 1168


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

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #commager #henrycommager #conformity #freethought #freedomofconscience #freedomofthought #loyalty #onetrueway #orthodoxy #selfcenteredness #selfishness