WIST Quotations

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Foe,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1884-12-06)

Dave — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 21:35:12 +0000

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)

Not collected in later books.

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1992-04-06)

Dave — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:14:05 +0000

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)

Goethe, Johann von -- Faust: a Tragedy [eine Tragödie], Part 1, sc. 3 “Prologue in Heaven,” l. 350ff [Mephistopheles] (1808-1829) [tr. Kaufmann (1961)]

Dave — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 16:48:11 +0000

I like to see the Old Man now and then
And try not to be too uncivil.
It’s charming in a noble squire when
He speaks humanely with the very Devil.

[Von Zeit zu Zeit seh ich den Alten gern,
Und hüte mich, mit ihm zu brechen.
Es ist gar hübsch von einem großen Herrn,
So menschlich mit dem Teufel selbst zu sprechen.]

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German poet, statesman, scientist
Faust: a Tragedy [eine Tragödie], Part 1, sc. 3 “Prologue in Heaven,” l. 350ff [Mephistopheles] (1808-1829) [tr. Kaufmann (1961)]

Some translations (and this site) include the Declaration, Prelude on the Stage, and Prologue in Heaven as individual scenes; others do not, leading to their Part 1 scenes being numbered three lower.

On his discussions with the Lord. (Source (German)). Other translations:

I like to see the Old Man not infrequently,
And I forbear to break with Him or be uncivil;
It's very pretty in so great a Lord as He
To talk so like a man even with the Devil.
[tr. Priest (1808)]

From time to time I visit the Old Fellow,
And I take care to keep on good terms with him.
Civil enough is this same God Almighty,
To talk so freely with the Devil himself.
[tr. Shelley (1815)]

I like to see the Ancient One occasionally, and take care not to break with him. It is really civil in so great a Lord, to speak so kindly with the Devil himself.
[tr. Hayward (1831)]

The ancient one I like sometimes to see,
And not to break with him am always civil;
'Tis courteous in so great a lord as he,
To speak so kindly even to the devil.
[tr. Swanwick (1850)]

I like at times to exchange with him a word,
And take care not to break with him. 'Tis civil
In the old fellow and so great a Lord
To talk so kindly with the very devil.
[tr. Brooks (1868)]

I like, at times, to hear The Ancient's word,
And have a care to be most civil:
It's really kind of such a noble Lord
So humanly to gossip with the Devil!
[tr. Taylor (1870)]

From time to time the ancient gentleman
I see, and keep on the best terms I can.
In a great Lord ’tis surely wondrous civil
So face to face to hold talk with the devil.
[tr. Blackie (1880)]

I like to see the Ancient now and then,
And shun a breach, for truly 'tis most civil
In such a mighty personage to deign
To chat so affably, e'en with the very Devil.
[tr. Latham (1908)]

From time to time it's good to see the Old Man;
I must be careful not to break with him.
How decent of so great a personage
to be so human with the devil.
[tr. Salm (1962)]

At times I don't mind seeing the old gent,
And try to keep relations smooth and level.
Say what you like, it's quite a compliment:
A swell like him so man-to-man with the Devil!
[tr. Arndt (1976)]

I like to see him sometimes, and take care
Not to fall out with him. It's civil
Of the old fellow, such a grand seigneur,
To have these man-to-man talks with the Devil!
[tr. Luke (1987)]

I like to see the Old Man now and then,
And take good care I don't fall out with him.
How very decent of a Lord Celestial
To talk man to man with the Devil of all people.
[tr. Greenberg (1992)]

I like to drop in on him if I can,
Just to keep things between us on the level.
It's really decent of the Grand Old Man
To be so civil to the very Devil.
[tr. Williams (1999)]

I like to hear the Old Man’s words, from time to time,
And take care, when I’m with him, not to spew.
It’s very nice when such a great Gentleman,
Chats with the devil, in ways so human, too!
[tr. Kline (2003)]

Gracián, Baltasar -- The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 142 (1647) [tr. Jacobs (1892)]

Dave — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 16:00:02 +0000

Never from Obstinacy take the Wrong Side because your Opponent has anticipated you in taking the Right One.

[Nunca por tema seguir el peor partido, porque el contrario se adelantó y escogió el mejor.]

Baltasar Gracián y Morales (1601–1658) Spanish Jesuit priest, writer, philosopher
The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 142 (1647) [tr. Jacobs (1892)]

(Source (Spanish)). Other translations:

Never to espouse a bad party in spight to an Adversary, who hath taken the better.
[Flesher ed. (1685)]

Never out of obstinancy take the wrong side, because your opponent has got before you and taken the right one.
[tr. Duff (1877)]

Never out of stubbornness hold to the wrong side, just because your adversary anticipated you, and chose the right.
[tr. Fischer (1937)]

Don’t defend the wrong side out of stubbornness, just because your opponent happened to arrive first and choose the right side.
[tr. Maurer (1992)]

Serling, Rod -- Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Dave — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 19:59:15 +0000

The righteous and continuing wrath of the Northern press opened no eyes and touched no consciences in the little town in Mississippi where the two men were tried. It was like a cold wind that made them huddle together for protection against an outside force which they could equate with an adversary. It struck me at the time that the trial and its aftermath was simply, “They’re bastards, but they’re our bastards.”

Rod Serling (1924–1975) American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, narrator
Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Speaking of the acquittal of the killers of Emmett Till. The murder inspired Serling's teleplay, Noon on Doomsday, shown on The United States Steel Hour (Apr 1956).

Verne, Jules -- The Mysterious Island, Part 3, ch. 16 (1874)

Dave — Fri, 20 May 2016 15:20:11 +0000

He who is mistaken in an action which he sincerely believes to be right may be an enemy, but retains our esteem.

[Celui qui se trompe dans une intention qu’il croit bonne, on peut le combattre, on ne cesse pas de l’estimer.]

Jules Verne (1828–1905) French novelist, poet, playwright
The Mysterious Island, Part 3, ch. 16 (1874)

Washington, Booker T. -- Up from Slavery, ch. 11 (1901)

Dave — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:26:05 +0000

I would permit no man, no matter what his colour might be, to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.

Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) American educator, writer
Up from Slavery, ch. 11 (1901)

This has been paraphrased in various ways, and is the source of Martin Luther King, Jr's quote he attributed to Washington: "Let no man pull you so low as to make you hate him" (e.g., Stride Toward Freedom, ch. 6 (1958)). King used this or variants of this paraphrase frequently in his speeches, though it was only in his early activism that he referenced Washington by name.

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 10. Letter to the Ephesians 6:12 (Eph 6:12) [KJV (1611)]

Dave — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:50:46 +0000

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

[ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὰς ἀρχάς πρὸς τὰς ἐξουσίας πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου πρὸς τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 10. Letter to the Ephesians 6:12 (Eph 6:12) [KJV (1611)]

(Source (Greek)). Other translations:

For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavens.
[JB (1966)]

For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.
[GNT (1976)]

For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the principalities and the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world, the spirits of evil in the heavens.
[NJB (1985)]

We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.
[CEB (2011)]

For our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
[NRSV (2011 ed.)]

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
[NIV (2011 ed.)]

Hoffer, Eric -- True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 15, § 65 (1951)

Dave — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:58:09 +0000

Mass movements can rise and spread without belief in a God, but never without belief in a devil.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 15, § 65 (1951)

Jung, Carl -- “General Aspects of Dream Psychology” (1916) [tr. R. Hull (1960)]

Dave — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:37:42 +0000

The real existence of an enemy upon whom one can foist off everything evil is an enormous relief to one’s conscience. You can then at least say, without hesitation, who the devil is; you are quite certain that the cause of your misfortune is outside, and not your own attitude.

Carl Jung (1875–1961) Swiss psychologist
“General Aspects of Dream Psychology” (1916) [tr. R. Hull (1960)]

Burke, Edmund -- Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)

Dave — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:13:46 +0000

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

Edmund Burke (1729–1797) Anglo-Irish statesman, orator, philosopher
Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 12 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:33:52 +0000

A small loan makes a debtor; a great one, an enemy.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 12 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1986-05-06)

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

HOBBES: Do you think there’s a God?

CALVIN: Well somebody’s out to get me.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1986-05-06)

Eisenhower, Dwight David -- News conference (20 Jan 1957)

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

You don’t promote the cause of peace by talking only to people with whom you agree.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890–1969) American general, US President (1953–61)
News conference (20 Jan 1957)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 222 (1955)

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

You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 222 (1955)

Bentham, Jeremy -- Comment on James Mill

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

He rather hated the ruling few than loved the suffering many.

Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) English jurist and philosopher
Comment on James Mill

In the journal of Caroline Fox (7 Aug 1840), regarding the father of John Stuart Mill. James Mill was a proponent of Bentham's philosophy. The observation was recalled in conversation with John Bowring, Bentham's executor.