WIST Quotations

Watkinson, W L -- Sermon (1907), “The Invincible Strategy,” The Supreme Conquest and other Sermons Preached in America, Sermon 14

Dave — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:29:11 +0000

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

W. L. Watkinson (1838–1925) English Methodist minister and preacher [William Lonsdale Watkinson]
Sermon (1907), “The Invincible Strategy,” The Supreme Conquest and other Sermons Preached in America, Sermon 14
(Source)

The sermon was written around Romans 12:21 ("Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.").

Often attributed as a Chinese proverb, or a quotation from Confucius or Eleanor Roosevelt.

For more information on this quote's origin and variations, see:

See also Kennedy (1960), Pratchett (1993), and Carlin (2004).

Shakespeare, William -- Merchant of Venice, Act 5, sc. 1, l. 99ff (5.1.99-100) (1597)

Dave — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 02:18:07 +0000

PORTIA: How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Merchant of Venice, Act 5, sc. 1, l. 99ff (5.1.99-100) (1597)
(Source)

In some versions, "So shines a good deed in a naughty world."

Sometimes misattributed to Roald Dahl (or even Gene Wilder); the character Willy Wonka uses the second sentence toward the end of the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971).

Millay, Edna St. Vincent -- “Figs from Thistles: First Fig” in Poetry: A Magazine of Verse (1918-06)

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

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night:
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends —
It gives a lovely light!

Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) American poet
“Figs from Thistles: First Fig” in Poetry: A Magazine of Verse (1918-06)
(Source)

Collected in A Few Figs From Thistles (1921).