WIST Quotations

Thoreau, Henry David -- A Week on the Concord and Marrimack Rivers, “Sunday” (1849)

Dave — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:51:04 +0000

It is remarkable, that notwithstanding the universal favor with which the New Testament is outwardly received, and even the bigotry with which it is defended, there is no hospitality shown to, there is no appreciation of, the order of truth with which it deals. I know of no book that has so few readers. There is none so truly strange, and heretical, and unpopular.

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) American philosopher and writer
A Week on the Concord and Marrimack Rivers, “Sunday” (1849)

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 5. Acts of the Apostles 4:32ff (Acts 4:32-35) [KJV (1611)]

Dave — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:01:09 +0000

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. […] Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

[Τοῦ δὲ πλήθους τῶν πιστευσάντων ἦν καρδία καὶ ψυχὴ μία, καὶ οὐδὲ εἷς τι τῶν ὑπαρχόντων αὐτῷ ἔλεγεν ἴδιον εἶναι ἀλλ᾽ ἦν αὐτοῖς ἅπαντα κοινά. […] οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐνδεής τις ἦν ἐν αὐτοῖς· ὅσοι γὰρ κτήτορες χωρίων ἢ οἰκιῶν ὑπῆρχον, πωλοῦντες ἔφερον τὰς τιμὰς τῶν πιπρασκομένων καὶ ἐτίθουν παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τῶν ἀποστόλων, διεδίδετο δὲ ἑκάστῳ καθότι ἄν τις χρείαν εἶχεν.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 5. Acts of the Apostles 4:32ff (Acts 4:32-35) [KJV (1611)]

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. [...] None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.
[JB (1966)]

The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in common. [...] None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from the sale of them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any who might be in need.
[NJB (1985)]

The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. [...] There was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and turn it over to the apostles; and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people.
[GNT (1992 ed.)]

The community of believers was one in heart and mind. None of them would say, “This is mine!” about any of their possessions, but held everything in common. [...] There were no needy persons among them. Those who owned properties or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds from the sales, and place them in the care and under the authority of the apostles. Then it was distributed to anyone who was in need.
[CEB (2011)]

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. [...] There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 5. Acts of the Apostles 2:44ff (Acts 2:44-45) [JB (1966)]

Dave — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:33:45 +0000

The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.

[πάντες δὲ οἱ πιστεύοντες ἦσαν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ καὶ εἶχον ἅπαντα κοινὰ καὶ τὰ κτήματα καὶ τὰς ὑπάρξεις ἐπίπρασκον καὶ διεμέριζον αὐτὰ πᾶσιν καθότι ἄν τις χρείαν εἶχεν·]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 5. Acts of the Apostles 2:44ff (Acts 2:44-45) [JB (1966)]

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
[KJV (1611)]

And all who shared the faith owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and distributed the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.
[NJB (1985)]

All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed.
[GNT (1992 ed.)]

All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them.
[CEB (2011)]

All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Carlin, George -- Show (1996-03-29), Back in Town, “Free-Floating Hostility,” Beacon Theatre, New York City (HBO)

Dave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:03:13 +0000

And what can we do to silence these Christian athletes who thank Jesus whenever they win, never mention his name when they lose? Not a word. You never hear them say, “Jesus made me drop the ball.” “The good Lord tripped me up behind the line of scrimmage.” According to these guys, Jesus is undefeated, meanwhile these assholes are in last place. Must be another one of those “miracles.”

George Carlin (1937–2008) American comedian
Show (1996-03-29), Back in Town, “Free-Floating Hostility,” Beacon Theatre, New York City (HBO)

(Source (Video); text confirmed)

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Monday,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

Dave — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:19:12 +0000

MONDAY, n. In Christian countries, the day after the baseball game.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Monday,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

Originally published in the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner (1904-09-03) and the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1904-09-09).

Gibbon, Edward -- The Decline And Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. 2, ch. 15 (1781)

Dave — Tue, 21 May 2024 15:36:53 +0000

It is always easy as well as agreeable for the inferior ranks of mankind to claim merit from the contempt of that pomp and pleasure which fortune has placed beyond their reach. The virtue of the primitive Christians, like that of the first Romans, was very frequently guarded by poverty and ignorance.

Edward Gibbon (1737–1794) English historian
The Decline And Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. 2, ch. 15 (1781)

See La Rochefoucauld.

Beauvoir, Simone de -- All Said and Done (1972)

Dave — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 14:08:34 +0000

The arrogance of some Christians would close heaven to them if, to their misfortune, it existed.

Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) French author, existentialist philosopher, feminist theorist
All Said and Done (1972)

Orwell, George -- The Road to Wigan Pier, ch. 11 (1937)

Dave — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 05:25:16 +0000

As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.

George Orwell (1903–1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
The Road to Wigan Pier, ch. 11 (1937)

Maher, Bill -- Real Time with Bill Maher (8 Nov 2013)

Dave — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 16:30:38 +0000

It’s okay if you don’t want to feed the hungry, or heal the sick, or house the homeless. Just don’t say you’re doing it for their own good. Don’t say you’d like to help people, but your hands are tied, because if you did it would cause a “culture of dependency,” or “go against the Bible,” or, worst of all, “rob them of their freedom” to be sick and hungry. Just admit you’re selfish, and based on how little your beliefs mirror the actual teachings of Jesus you might as well be worshiping Despicable Me.

William "Bill" Maher (b. 1956) American comedian, political commentator, critic, television host.
Real Time with Bill Maher (8 Nov 2013)

Maher, Bill -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 15:00:10 +0000

To most Christians, the Bible is like a software license. Nobody actually reads it. They just scroll to the bottom and click, “I agree.”

William "Bill" Maher (b. 1956) American comedian, political commentator, critic, television host.
(Attributed)

Maher, Bill -- Real Time with Bill Maher, “New Rules” (13 May 2011)

Dave — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 17:17:15 +0000

You’re supposed to look at that figure of Christ on the cross and think, “How could a man suffer like that and forgive?” Not, “Romans are pussies — he still has his eyes.”

William "Bill" Maher (b. 1956) American comedian, political commentator, critic, television host.
Real Time with Bill Maher, “New Rules” (13 May 2011)

Discussing Christians who support torturing terrorists.

Maher, Bill -- Real Time with Bill Maher (7 Oct 2005)

Dave — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 14:53:32 +0000

I love Jesus. I just don’t like the Christians who don’t believe in what he says.

William "Bill" Maher (b. 1956) American comedian, political commentator, critic, television host.
Real Time with Bill Maher (7 Oct 2005)

Maher, Bill -- Interview, The O’Reilly Factor (26 Sep 2006)

Dave — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:57:59 +0000

Jesus, as a philosopher is wonderful. There’s no greater role model, in my view, than Jesus Christ. It’s just a shame that most of the people who follow him and call themselves Christians act nothing like him.

William "Bill" Maher (b. 1956) American comedian, political commentator, critic, television host.
Interview, The O’Reilly Factor (26 Sep 2006)

Shakespeare, William -- Merchant of Venice, Act 3, sc. 1, l. 53ff (3.1.53-72) (1597)

Dave — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:34:01 +0000

SHYLOCK: He hath disgraced me and
hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses,
mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted
my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies —
and what’s his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not
a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions,
senses, affections, passions? Fed with the
same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to
the same diseases, healed by the same means,
warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer
as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not
bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you
poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall
we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will
resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian,
what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong
a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian
example? Why, revenge! The villainy you teach me I
will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the
instruction.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Merchant of Venice, Act 3, sc. 1, l. 53ff (3.1.53-72) (1597)

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 4. Gospel of John 13:34ff (John 13:34–35) (Jesus) [NJB (1985)]

Dave — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:27:59 +0000

I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you. It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognise you as my disciples.

[Ἐντολὴν καινὴν δίδωμι ὑμῖν ἵνα ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους καθὼς ἠγάπησα ὑμᾶς ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους. ἐν τούτῳ γνώσονται πάντες ὅτι ἐμοὶ μαθηταί ἐστε ἐὰν ἀγάπην ἔχητε ἐν ἀλλήλοις.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 4. Gospel of John 13:34ff (John 13:34–35) (Jesus) [NJB (1985)]

No Synoptic parallels. See also John 15:12.

(Source (Greek)). Other translations:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
[KJV (1611)]

I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.
[JB (1966)]

And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.
[GNT (1976)]

I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.
[CEB (2011)]

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
[NIV (2011 ed.)]

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Ingersoll, Robert Green -- Lecture (1874-05-03), “Heretics and Heresies,” Free Religious Society, Kingsbury Hall, Chicago

Dave — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:35:56 +0000

I do not say, and I do not believe, that Christians are as bad as their creeds. In spite of church and dogma, there have been millions and millions of men and women true to the loftiest and most generous promptings of the human heart. They have been true to their convictions, and, with a self-denial and fortitude excelled by none, have labored and suffered for the salvation of men. Imbued with the spirit of self-sacrifice, believing that by personal effort they could rescue at least a few souls from the infinite shadow of hell, they have cheerfully endured every hardship and scorned every danger.
And yet, notwithstanding all this, they believed that honest error was a crime. They knew that the Bible so declared, and they believed that all unbelievers would be eternally lost. They believed that religion was of God, and all heresy of the devil. They killed heretics in defense of their own souls and the souls of their children. They killed them because, according to their idea, they were the enemies of God, and because the Bible teaches that the blood of the unbeliever is a most acceptable sacrifice to heaven.

Robert Green Ingersoll (1833–1899) American lawyer, freethinker, orator
Lecture (1874-05-03), “Heretics and Heresies,” Free Religious Society, Kingsbury Hall, Chicago

Collected in The Gods and Other Lectures (1876).