WIST Quotations

Broun, Heywood -- “‘Jam-Tomorrow’ Progressives,” The New Republic (15 Dec 1937)

Dave — Wed, 17 May 2017 15:34:43 +0000

A technical objection is the first refuge of a scoundrel.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
“‘Jam-Tomorrow’ Progressives,” The New Republic (15 Dec 1937)
(Source)

See Johnson.

Broun, Heywood -- “A New Preface to an Old Story”, Broun’s Nutmeg (19 Aug 1939)

Dave — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:10:10 +0000

There is no proselyter half so energetic as the hard-shelled atheist.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
“A New Preface to an Old Story”, Broun’s Nutmeg (19 Aug 1939)

Broun, Heywood -- “Emma’s Homecoming,” It Seems to Me: 1925-1935 (1935)

Dave — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 03:02:41 +0000

Hell is paved with great granite blocks hewn from the hearts of those who said, “I can do no other.”

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
“Emma’s Homecoming,” It Seems to Me: 1925-1935 (1935)
(Source)

Broun, Heywood -- “Nonsenseorship” (1922)

Dave — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 23:03:20 +0000

A censor is a man who has read about Joshua and forgotten about Canute. The censor believes that he can hold back the mighty traffic of life with a tin whistle and a raised right hand. For, after all, it is life with which he quarrels.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
“Nonsenseorship” (1922)
(Source)

Broun, Heywood -- “Sport for Art’s Sake,” Vanity Fair (Sep 1921)

Dave — Wed, 31 May 2017 17:50:17 +0000

The tragedy of life is not that man loses, but that he almost wins.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
“Sport for Art’s Sake,” Vanity Fair (Sep 1921)
(Source)

Reprinted in Pieces of Hate, and Other Enthusiasms (1922).

Broun, Heywood -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Appeasers believe that if you keep on throwing steaks to a tiger, the tiger will turn vegetarian.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
(Attributed)
(Source)

Quoted in Lin Yutang, The Wisdom of China and India (1942).

Broun, Heywood -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:58:37 +0000

Repartee is what you wish you’d said.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
(Attributed)

In Robert Drennan, ed., The Algonquin Wits, "Heywood Broun" (1968).

Broun, Heywood -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 14:49:44 +0000

Any reasonable system of taxation should be based on the slogan of “Soak the Rich.”

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
(Attributed)

Broun, Heywood -- It Seems To Me, 1925–35 (1935)

Dave — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:33:35 +0000

The only real argument for marriage is that it remains the best method for getting acquainted.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
It Seems To Me, 1925–35 (1935)
(Source)

Broun, Heywood -- New York World (23 Oct 1926)

Dave — Tue, 17 May 2016 20:47:38 +0000

Everybody favors free speech in the slack moments when no axes are being ground.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
New York World (23 Oct 1926)

Broun, Heywood -- New York World (6 Feb 1928)

Dave — Wed, 24 May 2017 17:42:07 +0000

Just as every conviction begins as a whim so does every emancipator serve his apprenticeship as a crank. A fanatic is a great leader who is just entering the room.

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
New York World (6 Feb 1928)
(Source)