WIST Quotations

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2214 (1727)

Dave — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:47:03 +0000

When thou art in the Company of Ladies behave civilly, and shew good Breeding. They will easily pardon a Man’s Want of Sense, but rarely his Want of Manners.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2214 (1727)
(Source)

Heinlein, Robert A. -- Friday, ch. 23 [Boss] (1983)

Dave — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:28:36 +0000

A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot. […] This symptom is especially serious in that an individual displaying it never thinks of it as a sign of ill health but as proof of his/her strength.

Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988) American writer
Friday, ch. 23 [Boss] (1983)
(Source)

Nietzsche, Friedrich -- The Will to Power, Part 1, “Critique of Religion,” Sec. 175 [tr. Ludovici] (1888)

Dave — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 21:16:52 +0000

Spiritual strength and passion, when accompanied by bad manners, only provoke loathing.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) German philosopher and poet
The Will to Power, Part 1, “Critique of Religion,” Sec. 175 [tr. Ludovici] (1888)
(Source)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 241 (1955)

Dave — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:40:33 +0000

Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 241 (1955)
(Source)