WIST Quotations

Peters, Ellis -- Cadfael Chronicles No. 10, Dead Man’s Ransom, ch. 1 (1984)

Dave — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:23:08 +0000

Those who go forth to the battle never return without holes in their ranks, like gaping wounds. Pity of all pities that those who lead never learn, and the few wise men among those who follow never quite avail to teach. But faith given and allegiance pledged are stronger than fear, thought Cadfael, and that, perhaps, is virtue, even in the teeth of death. Death, after all, is the common expectation from birth. Neither heroes nor cowards can escape it.

Ellis Peters (1913–1995) English writer, translator [pseud. of Edith Mary Pargeter, who also wrote under the names John Redfern, Jolyon Carr, Peter Benedict]
Cadfael Chronicles No. 10, Dead Man’s Ransom, ch. 1 (1984)
(Source)

On return of Shrewsbury's troops after fighting battles for King Stephen against the Earls of Chester and Lincoln.

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 5 (1963)

Dave — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:50:15 +0000

It’s impossible to be loyal to your family, your friends, your country, and your principles, all at the same time.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913–1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 5 (1963)
(Source)

Baldwin, James -- Speech (1965-02-17), Opening Comments, “The American Dream is at the Expense of the American Negro,” debate with William F. Buckley, Jr., Cambridge University, England

Dave — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 18:10:56 +0000

It comes as a great shock around the age of 5, or 6, or 7, to discover that the flag to which you have pledged allegiance, along with everybody else, has not pledged allegiance to you.

James Baldwin (1924–1987) American novelist, playwright, activist
Speech (1965-02-17), Opening Comments, “The American Dream is at the Expense of the American Negro,” debate with William F. Buckley, Jr., Cambridge University, England
(Source)

(Source (Video))

Inge, William Ralph -- “The Indictment against Christianity” (1917), Outspoken Essays: First Series, ch. 10 (1919)

Dave — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 15:18:54 +0000

Loyalty is one of the most attractive of moral qualities, and it necessarily inhibits criticism of its own objects, which has the appearance of treason. But, unless the aims of the corporate body which claims our absolute allegiance are right and reasonable, loyalty may be, and often has been, the parent of hideous crimes, and a social evil of the first magnitude.

William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) English prelate [Dean Inge]
“The Indictment against Christianity” (1917), Outspoken Essays: First Series, ch. 10 (1919)
(Source)

Coleridge, Samuel Taylor -- Aids to Reflection (1825)

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

He who begins by loving Christianity better than truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English poet and critic
Aids to Reflection (1825)