WIST Quotations

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Abattoir,” “Demon’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco News Letter (1875-12-11)

Dave — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:09:35 +0000

ABATTOIR, n. A place where cattle slaughter kine. It is commonly placed at some distance from the haunts of our species, in order that they who devour the flesh may not be shocked by the site of blood.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Abattoir,” “Demon’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco News Letter (1875-12-11)

Not collected in later books.

Bear, Elizabeth -- Ancestral Night (2019)

Dave — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 23:40:56 +0000

Maybe all obligate carnivores are essentially the same. Can I eat that? Is it going to eat me? Is it a toy?

Elizabeth Bear (b. 1971) American author [pseud. for Sarah Bear Elizabeth Wishnevsky]
Ancestral Night (2019)

Enright, Anne -- The Gathering (2007)

Dave — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 19:00:40 +0000

Cats, I always think, only jump into your lap to check if you are cold enough, yet, to eat.

Anne Enright (b. 1962) Irish writer
The Gathering (2007)

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Essay (1860), “Fate,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 1

Dave — Tue, 05 May 2020 20:33:34 +0000

The way of Providence is a little rude. The habit of snake and spider, the snap of the tiger and other leapers and bloody jumpers, the crackle of the bones of his prey in the coil of the anaconda, — these are in the system, and our habits are like theirs. You have just dined, and however scrupulously the slaughter-house is concealed in the graceful distance of miles, there is complicity, expensive races, — race living at the expense of race.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Essay (1860), “Fate,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 1

Based on a course of lectures by that name first delivered in Pittsburg (1851-03).

Byron, George Gordon, Lord -- Don Juan, Canto 2, st. 67 (1819)

Dave — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 22:22:20 +0000

But man is a carnivorous production,
And must have meals, at least one meal a day;
He cannot live, like woodcocks, upon suction,
But, like the shark and tiger, must have prey;
Although his anatomical construction
Bears vegetables, in a grumbling way,
Your labouring people think beyond all question,
Beef, veal, and mutton, better for digestion.

George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788–1824) English poet
Don Juan, Canto 2, st. 67 (1819)

Butcher, Jim -- Blood Rites (2004)

Dave — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:21:00 +0000

“Oh, what would you like on your vegetarian pizza?”
“Dead pigs and cows,” I said.
She glanced up at me and wrinkled her nose.
“They’re vegetarians,” I said defensively.

Jim Butcher (b. 1971) American author
Blood Rites (2004)