WIST Quotations

Pratchett, Terry -- Discworld No. 9, Eric (1990)

Dave — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:02:27 +0000

In the jungles of central Klatch there are, indeed, lost kingdoms of mysterious Amazonian princesses who capture male explorers for specifically masculine duties. These are indeed rigorous and exhausting and the luckless victims do not last long.*

^{* This is because wiring plugs, putting up shelves, sorting out the funny noises in attics, and mowing lawns can eventually reduce even the strongest constitution.}

Terry Pratchett (1948-2015) English author
Discworld No. 9, Eric (1990)
(Source)

Straczynski, J. Michael "Joe" -- Babylon 5, 3×20 “And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place” (14 Oct 1996)

Dave — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 14:24:29 +0000

DEXTER: You know, before I got married, Emily used to come by sometimes and help me clean out my apartment. Well, I asked her, “How come you’re so eager to help clean up my place when your place is just as bad?” She said, “Because cleaning up your place helps me to forget what a mess I’ve made of mine, and — when I sweep my floor, all I’ve done is sweep my floor. But, when I help you clean up your place, I am helping you.”

J. Michael (Joe) Straczynski (b. 1954) American screenwriter, producer, author [a/k/a "JMS"]
Babylon 5, 3×20 “And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place” (14 Oct 1996)

Weir, Andy -- The Martian (2011)

Dave — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:05:35 +0000

It reminds me of growing up in Chicago and having to shovel snow. I’ll give my dad credit; he never claimed it was to build character or teach me the value of hard work. “Snowblowers are expensive,” he used to say. “You’re free.” Once, I tried to appeal to my mom. “Don’t be such a wuss,” she suggested.

Andy Weir (b. 1972) American programmer and writer
The Martian (2011)

Christie, Agatha -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:46:06 +0000

The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes.

Agatha Christie (1890-1976) English writer
(Attributed)

Santayana, George -- The Sense of Beauty, Part 1 “The Nature of Beauty,” sec. 4 “Work and Play” (1896)

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

To condemn spontaneous and delightful occupations because they are useless for self-preservation shows an uncritical prizing of life regardless of its contents.

George Santayana (1863-1952) Spanish-American poet and philosopher [Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruíz de Santayana y Borrás]
The Sense of Beauty, Part 1 “The Nature of Beauty,” sec. 4 “Work and Play” (1896)
(Source)