WIST Quotations

Huxley, Aldous -- “Words and Behavior,” The Olive Tree and Other Essays (1936)

Dave — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:12:19 +0000

We lie to ourselves, in order that we may still have the excuse of ignorance, the alibi of stupidity and incomprehension, possessing which we can continue with a good conscience to commit and tolerate the most monstrous crimes.

Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English novelist, essayist and critic
“Words and Behavior,” The Olive Tree and Other Essays (1936)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 181 (1955)

Dave — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:16:17 +0000

There are many who find a good alibi far more attractive than an achievement. For an achievement does not settle anything permanently. We still have to prove our worth anew each day: we have to prove that we are as good today as we were yesterday. But when we have a valid alibi for not achieving anything we are fixed, so to speak, for life. Moreover, when we have an alibi for not writing a book, painting a picture, and so on, we have an alibi for not writing the greatest book and not painting the greatest picture. Small wonder that the effort expended and the punishment endured in obtaining a good alibi often exceed the effort and grief requisite for the attainment of a most marked achievement.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 181 (1955)

Eliot, T. S. -- Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, “Macavity: The Mystery Cat” (1939)

Dave — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:55:36 +0000

Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare;
At whatever time the deed took place — MACAVITY WASN’T THERE!

T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-British poet, critic, playwright [Thomas Stearns Eliot]
Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, “Macavity: The Mystery Cat” (1939)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 85 (1955)

Dave — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:57:49 +0000

There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves as instruments in the hands of others and thus free ourselves from the responsibility for acts which are prompted by our own questionable inclinations and impulses. Both the strong and the weak grasp at this alibi. The latter hide their malevolence under the virtue of obedience: they acted dishonorably because they had to obey orders. The strong, too, claim absolution by proclaiming themselves the chosen instrument of a higher power — God, history, fate, nation or humanity.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 85 (1955)