WIST Quotations

Chesterton, Gilbert Keith -- “Comparisons”

Dave — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 18:41:21 +0000

If I set the sun beside the moon,
And if I set the land beside the sea,
And if I set the flower beside the fruit,
And if I set the town beside the country,
And if I set the man beside the woman,
I suppose some fool would talk
About one being better.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936) English journalist and writer
“Comparisons”

In "The Notebook" (1894-98). BL MS Add. 73334, fo. 5.

The poem, which has no formal title, has been printed in multiple forms. In many cases, the third line (flower/fruit) is omitted. In some cases "tower" is substituted for "town."

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 5 (1966)

Dave — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 15:05:56 +0000

Things are never so bad that they can’t get worse. But they’re sometimes so bad they can’t get better.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913–1983) American journalist and author
The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 5 (1966)

Dunne, Finley Peter -- (Attributed)

Dave — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 17:11:24 +0000

“Do you think the world is growing worse?” Mr. Hennessy asked.
“I do not,” said Mr. Dooley.
“Do you think it’s growing better?”
“No,” said Mr. Dooley. “If it’s doing anything, it’s just turning around as usual.”

Finley Peter Dunne (1867–1936) American humorist and journalist
(Attributed)

Usually paraphrased as "The world is not growing worse and it is not growing better -- it is just turning around as usual."

Shakespeare, William -- Henry V, Act 4, sc. 1, l. 80ff (4.1.80-83) (1599)

Dave — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 11:50:56 +0000

FLUELLEN: If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, is it meet, think you, that we should also, look you, be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, in your own conscience now?

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Henry V, Act 4, sc. 1, l. 80ff (4.1.80-83) (1599)