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A quotation from Samuel Johnson

Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation. He recounts the decency and regularity of former times, and celebrates the discipline and sobriety of the age in which his youth was passed; a happy age which is now no more to be expected, since confusion has broken in upon the world, and thrown down all the boundaries of civility and reverence.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1750-09-08), The Rambler, No. 50

Samuel Johnson quote


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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

Hemingway quote


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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

Fran Lebowitz quote


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A quotation from Oscar Wilde

Disobedience, in the eyes of any one who has read history, is man’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion.

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
Essay (1891-02), “The Soul of Man Under Socialism,” The Fortnightly Review, Vol. 49

Oscar Wilde quote


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A quotation from Hoffer

The practice of terror serves the true believer not only to cow and crush his opponents but also to invigorate and intensify his own faith.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 85 (3.14.85) (1951)

Hoffer quotation


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A quotation from Bill Watterson

   CALVIN: Your polls are slipping Dad. Better get with it.
   CALVIN’S DAD: Calvin, being your dad is not an elected position. I don’t have to respond to polls.
   CALVIN: Not elected? You mean you can govern with dictatorial impunity?
   CALVIN’S DAD: Exactly.
   CALVIN: In short, open revolt and exile is the only hope for change?
   CALVIN’S DAD: I don’t like the direction this conversation is taking.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1986-08-30)

Calvin and Hobbes - 1986-08-30


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A quotation from Samuel Johnson

When once the forms of civility are violated, there remains little hope of return to kindness or decency.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1750-09-25), The Rambler, No. 50

Samuel Johnson quote


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A quotation from Carlyle

Every day that is born into the world comes like a burst of music, and rings itself all the way through; and thou shalt make of it a dance, a dirge, or a grand life-march as thou wilt.

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

Carlyle quote


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Results may vary. As of this morning:


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A quotation from Arthur Miller

An era can be said to end when its basic illusions are exhausted.

Arthur Miller (1915–2005) American playwright and essayist
Essay (1974-12), “The Year It Came Apart,” New York Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 1

Arthur Miller quote


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A quotation from Bill Watterson

   CALVIN: Bad news, Dad. Your polls are way down.
   CALVIN’S DAD: My polls?
   CALVIN: You rate especially low among tigers and six-year-old white males.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1985-12-02)

Calvin and Hobbes (1985-12-02)


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A quotation from William Pitt

It is true, the bill is said to be founded on necessity; but what is this? Is it not necessity, which has always been the plea of every illegal exertion of power, or exercise of oppression? Is not necessity the pretence of every usurpation? Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.

William Pitt (1759–1806) British Prime Minister (1804–06) [William Pitt the Younger]
Speech (1793-11-18), House of Commons, London

William Pitt quote


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A quotation from Teddy Roosevelt

Any man who has met with success, if he will be frank with himself, must admit that there has been a big element of fortune in the success.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer; US President (1901–09)
Autobiography, ch. 3 “Practical Politics” (1913)

Teddy Roosevelt quote


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A quotation from Bill Watterson

   CALVIN: I’m not going to do my math homework. Look at these unsolved problems. Here’s a number in mortal combat with another. One of them is going to get subtracted. But why? How? What will be left of him? If I answered these, it would kill the suspense. It would resolve the conflict and turn intriguing possibilities into boring ol’ facts.
   HOBBES: I never really thought about the literary qualities of math.
   CALVIN: I prefer to savor the mystery.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1992-10-13)

Calvin and Hobbes (1992-10-13)


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A quotation from Twain

That is the way we are made: we don’t reason, where we feel; we just feel.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Novel (1889), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Part 3 “The Tale of the Lost Land,” ch. 11 “The Yankee in Search of Adventures”

Mark Twain quote


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A quotation from Cicero

MARCUS: Nor am I asham’d, as some others are, to confess I do not know, what I do not.
 
[Nec me pudet ut istos fateri nescire quod nesciam.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 1, ch. 25 (1.25) / sec. 60 (1.60) (45 BC) [tr. Wase (1643)]

Cicero quote


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A quotation from Voltaire

If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.
 
[Si Dieu n’existait pas, il faudrait l’inventer.]

Voltaire (1694–1778) French writer [pseud. of Francois-Marie Arouet]
Poem (1769-03-12), “Epistle to the Author of ‘The Three Imposters [Trois Imposteurs],'” l. 22

If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him. - Voltaire


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A quotation from Douglas Adams

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

Douglas Adams (1952–2001) English author, humorist, screenwriter
Last Chance to See, ch. 4 (1990) [with Mark Carwardine]

Douglas Adams quote


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A quotation from Bill Watterson

   CALVIN: My powerful brain has come up with a topic for my paper.
   HOBBES: Great.
   CALVIN: I’ll write about the debate over tyrannosaurs. Were they fearsome predators or disgusting scavengers?
   HOBBES: Which side will you defend?
   CALVIN: Oh, I believe they were fearsome predators, definitely.
   HOBBES: How come?
   CALVIN: They’re so much cooler that way.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-11-25)

Calvin and Hobbes (1993-11-25)


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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


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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


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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)


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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


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ADMINISTRIVIA - Doing the Numbers


If you have any interest in how obsessively analytical someone can get about a quotations collection, check out my new admin post: wist.info/administrivia/85470/

If you don't, because you're just here for the quotes ... check back in about ten hours.


A quotation from Bill Watterson

   CALVIN: Do you believe in the Devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of Man?
   HOBBES: I’m not sure Man needs the help.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1992-04-06)

Calvin and Hobbes (1992-04-06)


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A quotation from Bill Watterson

   CALVIN: (building a snowman) I should be doing my homework now. But the way I look at it, playing in the snow is a lot more important. Out here I’m learning real skills that I can apply throughout the rest of my life.
   HOBBES: Such as?
   CALVIN: Procrastinating and rationalizing.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-02-15)

Calvin and Hobbes (1993-02-15)


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A quotation from Bill Watterson

CALVIN: I have a hammer!
CALVIN: I can put things together! I can knock things apart! I can alter my environment at will and make an incredible din all the while!
CALVIN: Ah, it’s great to be male!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1995-08-03)

Calvin and Hobbes (1995-08-03)


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A quotation from Eisenhower

People talk about the middle of the road as though it were unacceptable. Actually, all human problems, excepting morals, come into the gray areas. Things are not all black and white. There have to be compromises. The middle of the road is all of the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) American general, US President (1953-61)
Interview (1963-11-05) by William Stringer, “Midroad View at Gettysburg,” Christian Science Monitor

Eisenhower quotation


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A quotation from Franklin

In Christmas feasting pray take care;
Let not your table be a Snare;
But with the Poor God’s Bounty share.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard Improved (1748 ed.)

In Christmas feasting pray take care; / Let not your table be a Snare; / But with the Poor God’s Bounty share. - Franklin


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A quotation from Gracian

Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it.
 
[Nunca se le ha de abrir la puerta al menor mal, que siempre vendrán tras él otros muchos, y mayores, en celada.]

Baltasar Gracián y Morales (1601-1658) Spanish Jesuit priest, writer, philosopher
The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 31 (1647) [tr. Jacobs (1892)

Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it. - Gracian


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A quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson

Marriage is one long conversation, chequered by disputes.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Essay (1882-08), “Talk and Talkers (A Sequel),” Cornhill Magazine, Vol. 46

Robert Louis Stevenson quote


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A quotation from Cicero

MARCUS: But there are more disorders of the mind than of the body, and they are of a more dangerous nature.
 
[At et morbi perniciosiores pluresque sunt animi quam corporis; hi enim ipsi odiosi sunt.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) / sec. 5 (3.5) (45 BC) [tr. Yonge (1853)]

Cicero quote


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A quotation from Wilde

Ultimately, the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or friendship, is conversation.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
Letter (1897-03) to Alfred Douglas, “Epistola: In Carcere et Vinculis”

Oscar Wilde quote


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A quotation from Emerson

Insist on yourself; never imitate.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Essay (1841), “Self-Reliance,” Essays: First Series, No. 2

Insist on yourself; never imitate. - Emerson


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A quotation from Salman Rushdie

The creative act requires not only freedom but also this assumption of freedom. If the creative artist worries if he will still be free tomorrow, then he will not be free today. If he is afraid of the consequences of his choice of subject or of his manner of treatment of it, then his choices will not be determined by his talent, but by fear. If we are not confident of our freedom, then we are not free.

Salman Rushdie (b. 1947) Indian novelist
Speech (2012-05-06), Arthur Miller Freedom to Write Lecture, PEN World Voices Festival, New York City

Salman Rushdie quotation


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A quotation from Watterson

HOBBES: If you couldn’t find any weirdness, maybe we’ll just have to make some!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1994-04-17)

Calvin and Hobbes (1994-04-17) excerpt


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