WIST Quotations

Adams, Douglas -- Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Phase 1, “Fit the 5th” (BBC radio) (1978-04-05)

Dave — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:59:15 +0000

NARRATOR: In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.

Douglas Adams (1952-2001) English author, humorist, screenwriter
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Phase 1, “Fit the 5th” (BBC radio) (1978-04-05)
(Source)

This passage, without change, appears in the second novelization, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, ch. 1 (1980).

L'Amour, Louis -- (Attribute)

Dave — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:38:30 +0000

Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.

Louis L'Amour (1908-1988) American writer
(Attribute)

Widely and credibly attributed to L'Amour, but I was unable to find any citations to the source.

Dante Alighieri -- La Vita Nuova [Vita Nova; The New Life], ch. 1 (c. 1294, pub. 1576) [tr. Kline (2002)]

Dave — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 01:28:52 +0000

In that part of the book of my memory before which little can be read, there is a heading, which says: “Incipit vita nova: Here begins the new life.”

[In quella parte del libro de la mia memoria dinanzi a la quale poco si potrebbe leggere, si trova una rubrica la quale dice: Incipit vita nova.]

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) Italian poet
La Vita Nuova [Vita Nova; The New Life], ch. 1 (c. 1294, pub. 1576) [tr. Kline (2002)]
(Source)

Opening sentence of the work.

There is some scholarly disagreement as to whether the title means "the new life" or "the early life." Reynolds translates the Latin phrase here as "Here begins the period of my boyhood," as explained here. Most scholars prefer the "new life" interpretation, with some caveats.

(Source (Italian)). Alternate translations:

In that part of the book of my memory before the which is little that can be read, there is a rubric, saying, Incipit Vita Nova.
[tr. Rossetti (c. 1847; 1899 ed.)]

In that part of the book of my memory, anterior whereto is little that can be read, stands a rubric, which says : -- "Incipit Vita Nova. Here beginneth the New Life."
[tr. Martin (1862)]

In that part of the book of my memory before which little can be read is found a rubric which says: Incipit Vita Nova [The New Life begins].
[tr. Norton (1867), "Proem"]

In the book of my memory, after the first pages, which are almost blank, there is a section headed Incipit vita nova.
[tr. Reynolds (1969)]

In that part of my book of memory before which there would be little to read is found a chapter heading which says: “Here begins the new life.”
[tr. Musa (1971)]

In my Book of Memory, in the early part where there is little to be read, there comes a chapter with the rubric: Incipit vita nova.
[tr. Hollander (1997)]

In that part of the book of my memory before which little may be read is found a rubric which says: "The new life begins."
[tr. Appelbaum (2006)]

In the book of my memory -- the part of it before which not much is legible -- there is the heading Incipit vita nova.
[tr. Frisardi (2012)]

There is a poetic version of this opening sentence which I have not been able to source, but has become extremely popular in wedding vows and other pronouncements of love, and is usually presented as Dante's own work:

In that book which is
My memory ...
On the first page
That is the chapter when
I first met you
Appear the words ...
"Here begins a new life."

Dante's first meeting with Beatrice (when he was nine years old) is described in the following paragraph, but is not part of this opening sentence. This chapter is also part of the prose portion of the work, not a poem.

Byron, George Gordon, Lord -- Don Juan, Canto 4, st. 1 (1821)

Dave — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 14:18:45 +0000

Nothing so difficult as a beginning
In poesy, unless perhaps the end.

George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824) English poet
Don Juan, Canto 4, st. 1 (1821)
(Source)

Euripides -- Æolus [Αἴολος], frag. 32 (TGF)

Dave — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:16:26 +0000

A bad beginning makes a bad ending.

[κακῆς <ἀπ'> ἀρχῆς γίγνεται τέλος κακόν]

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Æolus [Αἴολος], frag. 32 (TGF)
(Source)

Nauck frag. 32. (Source (Greek)). Alternate translation:

A bad ending comes from a bad beginning.
[tr. Collard & Cropp (2008)]

Drake, Francis -- Letter to Francis Walsingham, from Sagres, Portugal (17 May 1587)

Dave — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 19:54:51 +0000

There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.

Francis Drake (c. 1540-1596) English explorer, sea captain, politician
Letter to Francis Walsingham, from Sagres, Portugal (17 May 1587)
(Source)

Lewis, C.S. -- (Spurious)

Dave — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 23:33:47 +0000

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) English writer, literary scholar, lay theologian [Clive Staples Lewis]
(Spurious)

Not found in Lewis' writings, and not considered authentic. There is some similarity to this Lewis quotation. More discussion here:

Galsworthy, John -- Over the River, ch. 1 (1933)

Dave — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:12:11 +0000

The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy: the building of a house, the writing of a novel, the demolition of a bridge, and eminently, the finish of a voyage.

John Galsworthy (1867-1933) English novelist and playwright
Over the River, ch. 1 (1933)
(Source)

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Journal (1829-12-07)

Dave — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 18:44:54 +0000

The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings. There is not one who has not felt the sacred fire of virtue many a time kindling up within him. He resolved to read, he resolved to give, he solved to abstain, to speak well, to think in a train, to serve God, to imitate Christ. Something he did toward realizing his purpose — but it was most unlucky time — some very unseasonable circumstances occurred and the good purpose was postponed. Who is there here who does not remember his defeats?

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Journal (1829-12-07)
(Source)

Herold, Don -- There Ought To Be A Law (1926)

Dave — Tue, 12 May 2020 20:45:41 +0000

Babies are such a nice way to start people.

Don Herold (1889-1966) American humorist, cartoonist, author
There Ought To Be A Law (1926)
(Source)

Machiavelli, Niccolo -- Florentine Histories, Book 3, ch. 2 (1521-5)

Dave — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 20:33:24 +0000

Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
Florentine Histories, Book 3, ch. 2 (1521-5)

As commonly given, specific translation unknown. Alt. trans.:

"It is in the power of any man to begin a war, but he cannot end it when he pleases." [tr. Lester (1843)]
"People may go to war when they will, but cannot always withdraw when they like." [Bohn's Standard Library (1891)]
"Wars begin at the will of anyone, but they do not end at anyone's will." [tr. Banield and Mansfield (1988), Book 3, ch. 7]

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum, Book 5, ch. 58

Dave — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 00:53:56 +0000

The beginnings of all things are small.

[Omnium rerum principia parva sunt.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum, Book 5, ch. 58

Alt. trans.: "Everything has a small beginning."

Priestley, J. B. -- Delight (1949)

Dave — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 15:39:45 +0000

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) English author, dramatist [John Boyne Priestley]
Delight (1949)

Coolidge, Susan -- “New Every Morning”

Dave — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 14:36:09 +0000

Every morning is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul to the glad refrain.
And, spite of old sorrows
And older sinning,
Troubles forecasted
And possible pain,
Take heart with the day and begin again.

Susan Coolidge (1835-1905) American author [pseud. for Sarah Chauncey Woolsey]
“New Every Morning”

Umebinyuo, Ijeoma -- “Start now” (27 Sep 2014)

Dave — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 15:42:30 +0000

Start now. Start where you are. Start with fear. Start with pain. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking. Start with voice trembling but start. Start and don’t stop. Start where you are, with what you have. Just … start.

Ijeoma Umebinyuo (contemp.) Nigerian poet
“Start now” (27 Sep 2014)
(Source)

Rossetti, Christina -- Time Flies: A Reading Diary, “January 5” (1886)

Dave — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 22:59:04 +0000

Can anything be sadder than work left unfinished? Yes: work never begun.

Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) English poet
Time Flies: A Reading Diary, “January 5” (1886)
(Source)

Crichton, Michael -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 26 May 2015 13:29:04 +0000

The hardest part is starting to write.

Michael Crichton (1942-2008) American author, producer, director, and screenwriter
(Attributed)

Stevenson, Robert Louis -- (Spurious)

Dave — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:58:13 +0000

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
(Spurious)
(Source)

Frequently attributed to Stevenson, but not found in his works.

Lao-tzu -- Tao-te Ching ch. 64 [tr. Wing-Tsit Chan]

Dave — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 14:17:35 +0000

A tower of nine storeys begins with a heap of earth.
The journey of a thousand li starts from where one stands.

Lao-tzu (604?-531? BC) Chinese philosopher, poet [also Lao-tse, Laozi]
Tao-te Ching ch. 64 [tr. Wing-Tsit Chan]

Popularized in the west by John F. Kennedy, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step," announcing the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty (26 Jul 1963).

~Proverbs and Sayings -- Dutch proverb

Dave — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 12:57:24 +0000

He who is outside the door has already a good part of his journey behind him.

Proverbs, Sayings, and Adages
Dutch proverb

Carroll, Lewis -- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, ch. 12 (1865)

Dave — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:09:24 +0000

‘Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?’ he asked.

‘Begin at the beginning,’ the King said, gravely, ‘and go on till you come to the end: then stop.’

Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) English writer and mathematician [pseud. of Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, ch. 12 (1865)

Virgil -- Georgics [Georgica], Book 1, l. 40ff (1.40) (29 BC) [tr. Rhoades (1881)]

Dave — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:39:52 +0000

Smile on this
My bold endeavour.

[Audacibus annue coeptis]

Virgil (70-19 BC) Roman poet [b. Publius Vergilius Maro; also Vergil]
Georgics [Georgica], Book 1, l. 40ff (1.40) (29 BC) [tr. Rhoades (1881)]
(Source)

Calling on (now declared divine) Augustus Caesar to bless his poetry. This line, and a similar one in Virgil's Aeneid (9.625), inspired the phrase "Annuit cœptis" ("He [God] has favored our undertakings") on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States.

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

Aid my bold design.
[tr. Ogilby (1649)]

To my bold Endeavours add thy Force.
[tr. Dryden (1709), l. 60]

Aid my bold design.
[tr. Nevile (1767), l. 50]

Favour my adventurous enterprise.
[tr. Davidson (1854)]

Bid my gallant enterprise succeed.
[tr. Blackmore (1871)]

Favor my bold emprise.
[tr. Wilkins (1873)]

Our bold endeavor bless.
[tr. King (1882)]

Favor my adventurous enterprise.
[tr. Bryce (1897)]

Favour my bold endeavour.
[tr. Mackail (1899)]

Smile on this
My bold endeavour.
[tr. Greenough (1900)]

O smile upon this my bold emprise!
[tr. Way (1912)]

Give assent to my bold emprise.
[tr. Fairclough (Loeb) (1916)]

Be gracious to this my bold design.
[tr. Day-Lewis (1940)]

Condone this enterprise
Of bold experiment.
[tr. Bovie (1956)]

I hope for an easy passage in this bold venture.
[tr. Slavitt (1971)]

Assent to bold undertakings.
[tr. Miles (1980)]

Smile on my enterprise.
[tr. Wilkinson (1982)]

Agree to my bold beginning.
[tr. Kline (2001)]

Assent to this work boldly begun.
[tr. Lembke (2004)]

Bless the boldness of this undertaking.
[tr. Fallon (2006)]

Approve my bold endeavour.
[tr. Johnson (2009)]

Grant me the right to enter upon this bold
Adventure of mine.
[tr. Ferry (2015)]

Look with favor upon a bold beginning.
[Bartlett's]

Shakespeare, William -- Tempest, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 287ff (2.1.287-290) (1611)

Dave — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:30:16 +0000

ANTONIO: We all were sea-swallowed, though some cast again,
And by that destiny to perform an act
Whereof what’s past is prologue, what to come
In yours and my discharge.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Tempest, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 287ff (2.1.287-290) (1611)
(Source)

Martin, Steve -- L. A. Story (1991)

Dave — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:49:37 +0000

HARRIS: Why is it that we don’t always recognize the moment when love begins but we always know when it ends?

Steve Martin (b. 1945) American comedian, actor, writer, producer, musician
L. A. Story (1991)
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- Julius Caesar, Act 4, sc. 3, l. 249ff (4.3.249-255) (1599)

Dave — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:43:51 +0000

BRUTUS: There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves
Or lose our ventures.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Julius Caesar, Act 4, sc. 3, l. 249ff (4.3.249-255) (1599)
(Source)

Gaiman, Neil -- Sandman, Book 9. The Kindly Ones, # 57 “Chapter 1” (1993-02)

Dave — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:23:36 +0000

THE CRONE: Can’t say I’ve ever been too fond of beginnings, myself. Messy little things. Give me a good ending any time. You know where you are with an ending.

Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) British author, screenwriter, fabulist
Sandman, Book 9. The Kindly Ones, # 57 “Chapter 1” (1993-02)
(Source)

As the eldest of the Kindly Ones (Fates, Moirai, etc.), the Crone's task, in the aspect of Atropos, is literally to cut the thread at the end of a life.

Sophocles -- Fragments, l. 715.

Dave — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:38:31 +0000

If one begins all deeds well, it is likely that they will end well too.

Sophocles (496-406 BC) Greek tragic playwright
Fragments, l. 715.

L'Amour, Louis -- Lonely on the Mountain, ch. 1, opening paragraph (1980)

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

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.

Louis L'Amour (1908-1988) American writer
Lonely on the Mountain, ch. 1, opening paragraph (1980)
(Source)

Aristotle -- Politics [Πολιτικά], Book 5, ch. 4 / 1303b30 [tr. Jowett (1885)]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

Well begun is half done.

Aristotle (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher
Politics [Πολιτικά], Book 5, ch. 4 / 1303b30 [tr. Jowett (1885)]
(Source)

People attribute this to Aristotle largely because Jowett used a contemporary proverb in lieu of what Aristotle wrote: "As the proverb says -- 'Well begun is half done.'" The following alternative translations capture his original meaning more closely:

"The beginning is said to be half of the business." [tr. Ellis (1912)]
"The beginning as the proverb says is half of the whole." [tr. Rackham (1932)]
"The beginning is said to be 'half of the whole.'" [tr. Lord (1984)]
"The starting-point is said to be half the whole." [tr. Reeve (2007)]