WIST Quotations

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 7 (1963)

Dave — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 19:57:37 +0000

Injure a businessman and he’ll try to make you sorry; injure an artist and he’ll try to make you immortal.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913–1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 7 (1963)
(Source)

Russell, Bertrand -- Conquest of Happiness, Part 1, ch. 3 “Competition” (1930)

Dave — Wed, 21 May 2025 15:33:23 +0000

The working life of the businessman has the psychology of a hundred-yards race, but as the race upon which he is engaged is one whose only goal is the grave, the concentration, which is appropriate enough for a hundred yards, becomes in the end somewhat excessive.

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) English mathematician and philosopher
Conquest of Happiness, Part 1, ch. 3 “Competition” (1930)
(Source)

Cleese, John -- In Newsweek (15 Jun 1997)

Dave — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 20:08:01 +0000

I find it rather easy to portray a businessman. Being bland, rather cruel, and incompetent comes naturally to me.

John Cleese (b. 1939) English comedian, actor, screenwriter, producer
In Newsweek (15 Jun 1997)

Shaw, George Bernard -- Fabian Essays in Socialism, “The Basis of Socialism: Economic” (1889)

Dave — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 00:09:41 +0000

The man of business goes on Sunday to the church with the regularity of the village blacksmith, there to renounce and abjure before his God the line of conduct which he intends to pursue with all his might during the following week.

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish playwright and critic
Fabian Essays in Socialism, “The Basis of Socialism: Economic” (1889)
(Source)