WIST Quotations

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 84 (1725)

Dave — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:08:19 +0000

If thou wilt be cured of thy Ignorance, confess it.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 84 (1725)
(Source)

Lynd, Robert -- The Pleasure of Ignorance, ch. 1 (1921)

Dave — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 21:34:36 +0000

One of the greatest of joys known to man is to take such a flight into ignorance in search of knowledge. The great pleasure of ignorance is, after all, the pleasure of asking questions. The man who has lost this pleasure or exchanged it for the pleasure of dogma, which is the pleasure of answering, is already beginning to stiffen.

Robert Lynd (1892–1970) American sociologist [Robert Slaughton Lynd]
The Pleasure of Ignorance, ch. 1 (1921)
(Source)

Rice, Anne -- The Vampire Lestat, Part 5, ch. 3 (1992)

Dave — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 23:59:26 +0000

To really ask is to open the door to the whirlwind. The answer may annihilate the question and the questioner.

Anne Rice (b. 1941) American author [b. Howard Allen Frances O'Brien]
The Vampire Lestat, Part 5, ch. 3 (1992)
(Source)

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 4 “De la Nature des Esprits [On the Nature of Minds],” ¶ 62 (1850 ed.) [tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 3, ¶ 21]

Dave — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:54:40 +0000

Questions show the mind’s range, and answers, its subtlety.

[Les questions montrent l’étendue de l’esprit, et les réponses sa finesse.]

Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 4 “De la Nature des Esprits [On the Nature of Minds],” ¶ 62 (1850 ed.) [tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 3, ¶ 21]
(Source)

(Source (French))

While confirmed as an entry in the French, I was unable to find translations other than Lyttelton's in my various sources.

Colton, Charles Caleb -- Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Vol. 1, § 322 (1820)

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

Examinations are formidable even to the best prepared, for the greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer.

Charles Caleb "C. C." Colton (1780–1832) English cleric, writer, aphorist
Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Vol. 1, § 322 (1820)
(Source)

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1986-03-30)

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

HOBBES: Did you ask your Mom if you could jump off the roof?

CALVIN: Questions I know the answers to I don’t need to ask, right?

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1986-03-30)
(Source)