WIST

In the relations of man with the animals, with the flowers, with the objects of creation, there is a great ethic, scarcely perceived as yet, which will at length break forth into light.

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) French writer
(Attributed)

Unfortunately, too many of our citizens have lost faith that our biggest institutions –- our corporations, our media, and yes, our government –- still reflect these same values. Each of these institutions are full of honorable men and women doing important work that helps our country prosper. But each time a CEO rewards himself for failure, or a banker puts the rest of us at risk for his own selfish gain, people’s doubts grow. Each time lobbyists game the system or politicians tear each other down instead of lifting this country up, we lose faith. The more that TV pundits reduce serious debates into silly arguments, and big issues into sound bites, our citizens turn away. No wonder there’s so much cynicism out there. No wonder there’s so much disappointment.

Barack Obama (b. 1961) American politician, US President (2009- )
State of the Union Address (27 Jan 2010)

If the object were to make pupils think, rather than to make them accept certain conclusions, education would be conducted quite differently; there would be less … instruction and more discussion.

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
Principles of Social Reconstruction, ch. 5 (1916)

Though progress may be slow, it may be steady and sure.  A wise man does not try to hurry history. Many wars have been avoided by patience and many have been precipitated by reckless haste.

Adlai Ewing Stevenson (1900-1965) American politician
Campaign Speech (1952)

To me the relationship of host and guest is sacred. The guest is a jewel resting on the cushion of hospitality.

Rex Stout (1886-1975) American writer
Too Many Cooks, ch. 6 [Wolfe] (1938)