WIST Quotations

Stevenson, Robert Louis -- Poem (1885), “Happy Thought,” A Child’s Garden of Verses

Dave — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:33:11 +0000

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

Stevenson, Adlai -- Speech (1965-07-09), “Strengthening the International Development Institutions,” sec. 3, United Nations Economic and Social Council, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Dave — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 19:02:01 +0000

Let’s face it: We are nowhere near conquering world poverty. None of us — neither the weak nor the strong, the poor nor the rich, the new nations nor the old — have yet taken seriously enough the contrast between the abundance of our opportunities and the scarcity of our actions to grasp them. It is good that the rich are getting richer — that is what economic development is for. But it is bad that despite our considerable efforts in the first half of this decade, the poor are still poor — and progressing more slowly than present-day society can tolerate.

Adlai Stevenson II (1900–1965) American politician, diplomat, statesman
Speech (1965-07-09), “Strengthening the International Development Institutions,” sec. 3, United Nations Economic and Social Council, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Stevenson was serving as UN Ambassador from the United States. He died of a heart attack on 1965-07-14, while in London after this trip. This was his last public address, and was read into the Congressional Record for the House of Representatives, 89th US Congress (1965-07-15) by Rep. Abraham Multer of New York.

Montaigne, Michel de -- Essays, Book 1, ch. 14 (1.14), “The Taste of Good and Bad Things Depends Mostly on the Opinion We Have of Them [Que le goust des biens et des maux despend en bonne partie de l’opinion que nous en avons]” (1572) [tr. Frame (1943)]

Dave — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:32:03 +0000

In truth, it is not want, but rather abundance, that breeds avarice.

[De vray, ce n’est pas la disette, c’est plustost l’abondance qui produict l’avarice.]

Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592) French essayist
Essays, Book 1, ch. 14 (1.14), “The Taste of Good and Bad Things Depends Mostly on the Opinion We Have of Them [Que le goust des biens et des maux despend en bonne partie de l’opinion que nous en avons]” (1572) [tr. Frame (1943)]

Though this chapter was written around 1572 for the 1580 edition, this text was added for the 1588 edition. The chapter as a whole was numbered ch. 14 in the 1580 and 1588 editions, moved to ch. 40 for the 1595 ed. Most modern translations use the original numbering.

(Source (French)). Other translations:

Verily, it is not want, but rather plenty that causeth avarice.
[tr. Florio (1603), ch. 40]

In plain truth, it is not Want, but rather Abundance, that Creates Avarice.
[tr. Cotton (1686), ch. 40]

In truth, it is not want, but rather abundance, that creates avarice.
[tr. Cotton/Hazlitt (1877), ch. 40]

In truth, it is not want, but rather abundance, which gives birth to avarice.
[tr. Ives (1925)]

And truly it is not want that produces avarice but plenty.
[tr. Screech (1987)]

Truly, abundance rather than want causes stinginess.
[tr. HyperEssays (2023)]

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1937-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.

Dave — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:25:08 +0000

The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman; US President (1933–45)
Speech (1937-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.

(Source (Audio))