WIST Quotations

Pratchett, Terry -- Discworld, Book 7, Pyramids (1989)

Dave — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:11:29 +0000

It was said that life was cheap in Ankh-Morpork. This was, of course, completely wrong. Life was often very expensive; you could get death for free.

Terry Pratchett (1948-2015) English author
Discworld, Book 7, Pyramids (1989)
(Source)

Montaigne, Michel de -- Essays, Book 2, ch. 20 (2.20), “We Taste Nothing Pure [Nous ne goustons rien de pur]” (1578) [tr. Cotton/Hazlitt (1877)]

Dave — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:32:58 +0000

Pleasure chews and grinds us; according to the old Greek verse, which says that the gods sell us all the goods they give us; that is to say, that they give us nothing pure and perfect, and that we do not purchase but at the price of some evil.

[L’aise nous masche. C’est ce que dit un verset Grec ancien, de tel sens: Les dieux nous vendent tous les biens qu’ils nous donnent: c’est à dire, ils ne nous en donnent aucun pur & parfaict, & que nous n’achetions au prix de quelque mal.]

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist
Essays, Book 2, ch. 20 (2.20), “We Taste Nothing Pure [Nous ne goustons rien de pur]” (1578) [tr. Cotton/Hazlitt (1877)]
(Source)

The first sentence here was in the final 1595 edition, along with other text on this theme. The rest (which referenced to the text immediately before those additions) is found in the original 1580 edition.

The referenced Greek verse is attributed to Epicharmus by Xenophon (Memorabilia,, II, 1.20).

Source (French)). Alternate translations:

Ease consumeth us. It is that, which on old Greeke verse saith, of such a sense. The Gods sell us all the goods they give us; that is to say, they give us not one pure and perfect, and that which we buy not with the price of some evill.
[tr. Florio (1603)]

Pleasure preys upon us, according to the old Greek verse, which says, "That the gods sell us all the good they give us;" that is to say, that they give us nothing pure and perfect, and which we do not purchase but at the price of some evil.
[tr. Cotton (1686)]

Ease eats us up. This is said by the ancient Greek verse, to this effect: "The gods sell us all the goods they give us"; that is to say, they give us none pure and perfect, and which we do not purchase at the cost of some ill.
[tr. Ives (1925)]

Happiness racks us. That is what an old Greek verse says, in this sense: "The gods sell us all the good things they give us." That is to say, they give us none pure and perfect, none that we do not buy at the price of some evil.
[tr. Frame (1943)]

Pleasure chews and grinds us.
[ed. Rat (1958)]

Ease crushes us. That is what is meant by that line of ancient Greek poetry: "The gods sell us all the pleasures which they give us"; that is to say, none that they give us is pure and perfect: we can only buy them at the price of some suffering.
[tr. Screech (1987)]

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Philippics [Philippicae; Antonian Orations], No. 10, ch. 9 / sec. 20 (10.9/10.20) (43-02 BC) [tr. Ker (Loeb) (1926)]

Dave — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:52:59 +0000

So glorious is the recovery of liberty that in regaining liberty we must not shrink even from death.

[Ita praeclara est recuperatio libertatis ut ne mors quidem sit in repetenda libertate fugienda.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Philippics [Philippicae; Antonian Orations], No. 10, ch. 9 / sec. 20 (10.9/10.20) (43-02 BC) [tr. Ker (Loeb) (1926)]
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

The recovery of freedom is so splendid a thing that we must not shun even death when seeking to recover it.
[tr. Yonge (1903)]

So glorious is the reclamation of freedom that not even death should be avoided when freedom must be regained.
[tr. @sentantiq (2017)]

Peters, Ellis -- Cadfael Chronicles No. 21, Brother Cadfael’s Penance, ch. 16 (1994)

Dave — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:07:48 +0000

You do what you must do, and pay for it. So in the end all things are simple.

Ellis Peters (1913-1995) English writer, translator [pseud. of Edith Mary Pargeter, who also wrote under the names John Redfern, Jolyon Carr, Peter Benedict]
Cadfael Chronicles No. 21, Brother Cadfael’s Penance, ch. 16 (1994)
(Source)

Jacobs, Jane -- The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Part 2, ch. 10 “The Need for Aged Buildings” (1961)

Dave — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 23:01:02 +0000

As for really new ideas of any kind — no matter how ultimately profitable or otherwise successful some of them might prove to be — there is no leeway for such chancy trial, error and experimentation in the high-overhead economy of new construction. Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.

Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) American-Canadian journalist, author, urban theorist, activist
The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Part 2, ch. 10 “The Need for Aged Buildings” (1961)
(Source)

Herbert, George -- Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 776 (1640 ed.)

Dave — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:04:15 +0000

Law sutes consume time, and mony, and rest, and friends.

[Lawsuits consume time, and money, and rest, and friends.]

George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 776 (1640 ed.)
(Source)

La Bruyere, Jean de -- The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 6 “Of Gifts of Fortune [Des Biens de Fortune],” § 13 (6.13) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)]

Dave — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 21:51:28 +0000

Let us not envy a certain class of men for their enormous riches; they have paid such an equivalent for them that it would not suit us; they have given for them their peace of mind, their health, their honour, and their conscience; this is rather too dear, and there is nothing to be made out of such a bargain.

[N’envions point à une sorte de gens leurs grandes richesses; ils les ont à titre onéreux, et qui ne nous accommoderait point: ils ont mis leur repos, leur santé, leur honneur et leur conscience pour les avoir; cela est trop cher, et il n’y a rien à gagner à un tel marché.]

Jean de La Bruyère (1645-1696) French essayist, moralist
The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 6 “Of Gifts of Fortune [Des Biens de Fortune],” § 13 (6.13) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)]
(Source)

One translator suggestions the "certain class of men" refers to the partisans, or tax-farmers: private tax collectors, often of humble origin, who purchased the right to their job, and were notorious for turning tax collection into a profitable profession.

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

Let us not envy some Men their great Riches; their Burthens would be too heavy for us; we cou'd not Sacrifice, as they do, Health, Quiet, Honour and Conscience, to obtain 'em: 'Tis to pay so dear for them that there is nothing to be got by the Bargain.
[Bullord ed. (1696)]

Let us not envy some Men their great Riches, their burden would be too heavy for us; we cou'd not sacrifice, as they do, Health, Quiet, Honour and Conscience, to obtain 'em: 'Tis to pay so dear for 'em, that there is nothing to be got by the Bargain.
[Curll ed. (1713)]

Let us not envy some Men their accountable Riches; their Burthen would be too heavy for us; we could not sacrifice, as they do, Health, Quiet, Honour and Conscience, to obtain them. It is to pay so dear for them, that the Bargain is a Loss.
[Browne ed. (1752)]

We need not envy certain people their great wealth; they acquired it at a heavy cost, which would not suit us; they staked their rest, their health, their honour and their conscience to acquire it; the price is too high, and there is nothing to be gained by such a bargain.
[tr. Stewart (1970)]

McCarthy, Cormac -- No Country For Old Men (2005)

Dave — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 23:37:45 +0000

You always pay too much. Particularly for promises. There ain’t no such thing as a bargain promise.

Cormac McCarthy (1933-2023) American novelist, playwright, screenwriter
No Country For Old Men (2005)
(Source)

Thoreau, Henry David -- Journal (1856-03-11)

Dave — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 17:48:01 +0000

That man is the richest whose pleasures are cheapest.

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American philosopher and writer
Journal (1856-03-11)
(Source)

Austen, Jane -- Pride and Prejudice, ch. 26 [Elizabeth] (1813)

Dave — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 17:13:23 +0000

Importance may be sometimes purchased too dearly.

Jane Austen (1775-1817) English author
Pride and Prejudice, ch. 26 [Elizabeth] (1813)
(Source)

Stoppard, Tom -- Where Are They Now? [Gale] (1970)

Dave — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 19:27:59 +0000

Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up.

Tom Stoppard (1937-2025) Czech-English playwright and screenwriter
Where Are They Now? [Gale] (1970)
(Source)

The line in the play -- originally broadcast on BBC Radio 3 -- was based on an answer Stoppard himself gave in an interview by Peter Evans, reprinted in David Bailey and Peter Evans, Goodbye Baby and Amen: A Saraband for the Sixties (1969):

It is a very immature thing to worry about one’s stinking youth, but I don’t care: I think age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

McCullough, Colleen -- The Thorn Birds, Epigraph (1977)

Dave — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:55:14 +0000

There is a legend about a bird that sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. Dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of the great pain. … Or so says the legend.

Colleen McCullough (1937-2015) Australian author
The Thorn Birds, Epigraph (1977)
(Source)

Young, Nedrick -- Inherit the Wind, film (1960) [with Harold Jacob Smith]

Dave — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 17:10:41 +0000

DRUMMOND: As long as the prerequisite for that shining paradise is ignorance, bigotry and hate, I say to hell with it.

Nedrick Young (1914-1968) American screenwriter and actor [pseud. Nathan E. Douglas]
Inherit the Wind, film (1960) [with Harold Jacob Smith]
(Source)

The original 1951 play was written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, but does not include this line, delivered in the film by Spencer Tracy. Young and Smith share the screenwriting credits.

Faulkner, William -- The Wild Palms [If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem], ch. 3 [Charlotte] (1939)

Dave — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 00:55:49 +0000

The second time I ever saw you I learned what I had read in books but I had never actually believed: that love and suffering are the same thing and that the sum of love is what you have to pay for it and any time you get it cheap you have cheated yourself.

William Faulkner (1897-1962) American novelist
The Wild Palms [If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem], ch. 3 [Charlotte] (1939)
(Source)

Child, Julia -- Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Foreword (1961)

Dave — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:53:32 +0000

“Too much trouble,” “Too expensive,” or “Who will know the difference” are death knells for good food.

Julia Child (1912-2004) American chef and writer
Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Foreword (1961)
(Source)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard Improved, “August” (1752)

Dave — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 23:30:05 +0000

Old Boys have their Playthings as well as young Ones; the Difference is only in the Price.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard Improved, “August” (1752)
(Source)

Cf. the contemporary "The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys." See Forbes.

Holland, Barbara -- Quoted in Alex Beam, “Literature, One Screen at a Time,” New York Times (16 Nov 2005)

Dave — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 15:57:28 +0000

Napping is too luxurious, too sybaritic, too unproductive, and it’s free; pleasures for which we don’t pay make us anxious. Besides, it seems to be a natural inclination. … Fighting off natural inclinations is a major Puritan virtue, and nothing that feels that good can be respectable.

Barbara Holland (1933-2010) American author
Quoted in Alex Beam, “Literature, One Screen at a Time,” New York Times (16 Nov 2005)
(Source)

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 9 (1963)

Dave — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 20:57:43 +0000

We’d all like a reputation for generosity, and we’d all like to buy it cheap.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 9 (1963)
(Source)

Blessington, Marguerite -- Desultory Thoughts and Reflections (1839)

Dave — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 16:55:19 +0000

The selfish man believes that by closing his heart against his fellows, and centering in self every thought and feeling, he escapes much suffering. But his egotistical calculations are invariably defeated; for his contracted sympathies being all directed to one focus, he so aggravates the ills he endures, that he expends on self along more painful pity than the most enthusiastic philanthropist devotes to mankind.

Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789-1849) Irish novelist [Lady Blessington, b. Margaret Power]
Desultory Thoughts and Reflections (1839)
(Source)

Keynes, John Maynard -- “The Political Doctrines of Edmund Burke” (1904)

Dave — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 22:36:12 +0000

It is not sufficient that the state of affairs which we seek to promote should be better than the state of affairs which preceded it; it must be sufficiently better to make up for the evils of the transition.

John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) English economist
“The Political Doctrines of Edmund Burke” (1904)
(Source)

Sinclair, Upton -- I, Candidate for Governor: And How I Got Licked, ch. 20 (1935)

Dave — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 23:08:44 +0000

It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!

Upton Sinclair (1878-1968) American writer, journalist, activist, politician
I, Candidate for Governor: And How I Got Licked, ch. 20 (1935)
(Source)

A regular comment of his on the campaign trail. The wording is Sinclair's, though there are earlier references with the same sentiment (see here for more discussion).

Often misattributed to H. L. Mencken. (e.g., "Never argue with a man whose job depends on not being convinced") though not found in his work.

Forster, E. M. -- Letter to Malcolm Darling (6 Nov 1914)

Dave — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:45:18 +0000

The newspapers still talk about glory but the average man, thank God, has got rid of that illusion. It is a damned bore, with a stalemate as the most probable outcome, but one has to see it through, and see it through with the knowledge that whichever side wins, civilisation in Europe will be pipped for the next 30 years. Don’t indulge in Romance here, Malcolm, or suppose that an era of jolly little nationalities is dawning. We shall be much too much occupied with pestilence and poverty to reconstruct.

E. M. Forster (1879-1970) English novelist, essayist, critic, librettist [Edward Morgan Forster]
Letter to Malcolm Darling (6 Nov 1914)
(Source)

Ennius -- Telephus, frag 412-414 [tr. Miller (1913)]

Dave — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 21:29:29 +0000

Who kindly sets a wand’rer on his way
Does e’en as if he lit another’s lamp by his:
No less shines his, when he his friend’s hath lit.

[Homó, qui erranti cómiter monstrát viam,
Quasi lúmen de suo lúmine accendát, facit.
Nihiló minus ipsi lúcet, cum illi accénderit.]

Ennius (239-169 BC) Roman poet, writer [Quintus Ennius]
Telephus, frag 412-414 [tr. Miller (1913)]
(Source)

The fragment comes to us from Cicero, De Officiis [On Duties; On Moral Duty; The Offices], Book 1, ch. 16 / sec. 51 (44 BC). Original Latin. Alt. trans.:

He that directs the wandering traveller,
Doth, as it were, light another's torch by his own;
Which gives him ne'er the less of light, for that
It gave another.
[tr. Cockman (1699)]

The man who kindly points out the way to the wandering traveller, gives light to the lamp of another, without diminishing by the communication the light of his own.
[tr. McCartney (1798)]

He who kindly shows the bewildered traveller the right road, does as it were light his lamp by his own; which affords none the less light to himself after it has lighted the other.
[tr. Edmonds (1865)]

Who kindly shows a wanderer his way,
Lights, as it were, a torch from his own torch, --
In kindling others' light, no less he shines.
[tr. Peabody (1883)]

The man who kindly points the way top a wanderer, does as though he kindles a light from the light that is his; it shines none the less for himself when he has kindled it for his fellow.
["trib Teleph. R suae lumine accendit facis Hartman, Mnemoe., XXI, 382 fortass recte"]

Angelou, Maya -- “Maya Angelou, The Art of Fiction No. 119,” Interview with George Plimpton, The Paris Review (Fall 1990)

Dave — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 18:30:27 +0000

Every human being has paid the earth to grow up. Most people don’t grow up. It’s too damn difficult. What happens is most people get older. That’s the truth of it. They honor their credit cards, they find parking spaces, they marry, they have the nerve to have children, but they don’t grow up. Not really. They grow older. But to grow up costs the earth, the earth. It means you take responsibility for the time you take up, for the space you occupy. It’s serious business. And you find out what it costs us to love and to lose, to dare and to fail. And maybe even more, to succeed. What it costs, in truth.

Maya Angelou (1928-2014) American poet, memoirist, activist [b. Marguerite Ann Johnson]
“Maya Angelou, The Art of Fiction No. 119,” Interview with George Plimpton, The Paris Review (Fall 1990)
(Source)

Angelou used the core section (credit cards, parking spaces) a number of times in different interviews.

Stross, Charles -- The Annihilation Score (2015)

Dave — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:40:38 +0000

The flip side … the flip side is that scientific research is a bottomless money pit. You can approximate Doing Science to standing on the Crack of Doom throwing banknotes down it by the double-handful, in the hope that if you choke the volcano with enough paper it will cough up the One Ring. Unless you’re doing pure mathematics or philosophy, of course, in which case it’s HB pencils and ruled A4 notepads all the way down.

Charles "Charlie" Stross (b. 1964) British writer
The Annihilation Score (2015)
(Source)

Scalzi, John -- Lock In, ch. 3 [Shane] (2014)

Dave — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:54:46 +0000

Rich people show their appreciation through favors. When everyone you know has more money than they know what to do with, money stops being a useful transactional tool. So instead you offer favors. Deals. Quid pro quos. Things that involve personal involvement rather than money. Because when you’re that rich, your personal time is your limiting factor.

John Scalzi (b. 1969) American writer
Lock In, ch. 3 [Shane] (2014)
(Source)

Adams, John -- Letter (1777-04-26) to Abigail Adams

Dave — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 04:34:34 +0000

Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Letter (1777-04-26) to Abigail Adams
(Source)

Petit-Senn, Jean-Antoine -- Maxims and Ethical Sentences

Dave — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 23:43:16 +0000

Money dishonestly acquired is never worth its cost, while a good conscience never costs as much as it is worth.

Jean-Antoine Petit-Senn (1792-1870) French-Swiss poet
Maxims and Ethical Sentences

Kempton, Murray -- “To Save a Nation,” America Comes of Age (1963)

Dave — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 16:06:38 +0000

There are things a man must not do even to save a nation.

Murray Kempton (1917-1997) American journalist.
“To Save a Nation,” America Comes of Age (1963)

Verne, Jules -- Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Part 2, ch. 8 “Vigo Bay” (1870)

Dave — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 12:54:19 +0000

Freedom is worth paying for.

[La liberté vaut qu’on la paye.]

Jules Verne (1828-1905) French novelist, poet, playwright
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Part 2, ch. 8 “Vigo Bay” (1870)
(Source)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1742 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:04:29 +0000

Honest Men often go to Law for their Right; when Wise Men would sit down with the Wrong, supposing the first Loss least. In some Countries the Course of the Courts is so tedious, and the Expence so high, that the Remedy, Justice, is worse than, Injustice, the Disease. In my Travels I once saw a Sign call’d The Two Men at Law; One of them was painted on one Side, in a melancholy Posture, all in Rags, with this Scroll, I have lost my Cause. The other was drawn capering for Joy, on the other Side, with these Words, I have gain’d my Suit; but he was stark naked.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1742 ed.)
(Source)

Taft, William -- “Adequate Machinery for Judicial Business,” Journal of the American Bar Association (Sep 1921)

Dave — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 13:00:24 +0000

Delay works always for the man with the longest purse.

William Howard Taft (1857-1930) US President (1909-13) and Chief Justice (1921-1930)
“Adequate Machinery for Judicial Business,” Journal of the American Bar Association (Sep 1921)

Warner, Charles Dudley -- Backlog Studies, Eleventh Study (1872)

Dave — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 15:59:45 +0000

The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.

Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American essayist and novelist
Backlog Studies, Eleventh Study (1872)
(Source)

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1816-01-29) to Noah Worcester

Dave — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:44:20 +0000

The question [is] asked, “Is it common for a nation to obtain a redress of wrongs by war?” The answer to this question you will of course draw from history. In the meantime, reason will answer it on grounds of probability, that where the wrong has been done by a weaker nation, the stronger one has generally been able to enforce redress; but where by a stronger nation, redress by war has been neither obtained nor expected by the weaker. On the contrary, the loss has been increased by the expenses of the war in blood and treasure. Yet it may have obtained another object equally securing itself from future wrong. It may have retaliated on the aggressor losses of blood and treasure far beyond the value to him of the wrong he had committed, and thus have made the advantage of that too dear a purchase to leave him in a disposition to renew the wrong in future. In this way the loss by the war may have secured the weaker nation from loss by future wrong.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1816-01-29) to Noah Worcester
(Source)

Jefferson, Thomas -- Message (1804-11-08) to Congress, Annual Message (State of the Union)

Dave — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 12:30:25 +0000

But to those who expect us to calculate whether a compliance with unjust demands will not cost us less than a war we must leave as a question of calculation for them also whether to retire from unjust demands will not cost them less than a war. We can do to each other very sensible injuries by war, but mutual advantages of peace make that the best interest of both.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Message (1804-11-08) to Congress, Annual Message (State of the Union)
(Source)

Marcus Aurelius -- Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 11, ch. 18 (11.18) (AD 161-180) [tr. Staniforth (1964)]

Dave — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 15:42:10 +0000

Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us.

[Ὄγδοον, ὅσῳ χαλεπώτερα ἐπιφέρουσιν αἱ ὀργαὶ καὶ λῦπαι αἱ ἐπὶ τοῖς τοιούτοις, ἤπερ αὐτά ἐστιν ἐφ’ οἷς ὀργιζόμεθα καὶ λυπούμεθα.]

Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) Roman emperor (161-180), Stoic philosopher
Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 11, ch. 18 (11.18) (AD 161-180) [tr. Staniforth (1964)]
(Source)

One of the points to consider when evaluating how others are behaving, especially when it makes us angry or aggravated.

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

How many things may and do oftentimes follow upon such fits of anger and grief; far more grievous in themselves, than those very things which we are so grieved or angry for.
[tr. Casaubon (1634), 11.15]

Consider that our anger and impatience often proves much more mischievous than the provocation could possibly have done.
[tr. Collier (1701)]

What worse evils we suffer by anger and sorrow for such things, than by the things themselves about which those passions rise.
[tr. Hutcheson/Moor (1742)]

Consider, how much more we suffer from our anger and grief on those occasions, than from the things themselves which excite our anger or our grief.
[tr. Graves (1792)]

Consider how much more pain is brought on us by the anger and vexation caused by such acts than by the acts themselves, at which we are angry and vexed.
[tr. Long (1862)]

Consider that our anger and impatience often prove much more mischievous than the things about which we are angry or impatient.
[tr. Collier/Zimmern (1887)]

How much mroe unconscionable are our anger and vexation at the acts, than the acts which make us angry and vexed!
[tr. Rendall (1898)]

How much worse evils we suffer from anger and grief about certain things than from the things themselves about which these passions arise.
[tr. Hutcheson/Chrystal (1902)]

Bethink thee how much more grievous are the consequences of our anger and vexation at such actions than are the acts themselves which arouse that anger and vexation.
[tr. Haines (Loeb) (1916)]

How much more grievous are what fits of anger and the consequent sorrows bring than the actual things are which produce in us those angry fits and sorrows.
[tr. Farquharson (1944)]

The anger and distress that we feel at such behaviour brings us more suffering than the very things that give rise to that anger and distress.
[tr. Hard (1997 ed.), (2011 ed.)]

How much more damage anger and grief do than the things that cause them.
[tr. Hays (2003)]

The greater grief comes from the consequent anger and pain, rather than the original causes of our anger and pain.
[tr. Hammond (2006)]

Anger and the sorrow it produces are far more harmful than the things that make us angry.
[tr. Needleman/Piazza (2008)]

Kaunda, Kenneth -- Quoted in the Observer (London) (1982-09-05)

Dave — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:39:29 +0000

When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees.

Kenneth Kaunda (1924-2021) Zambian teacher, revolutionary, politician
Quoted in the Observer (London) (1982-09-05)
(Source)

Sometimes attributed to Joseph Joubert, but not found in his works.

Huxley, Aldous -- “Religion and Time” (1943)

Dave — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:57:37 +0000

Reality cannot be ignored, except at a price; and the longer the ignorance is persisted in, the higher and more terrible becomes the price that must be paid.

Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) English novelist, essayist and critic
“Religion and Time” (1943)

Reprinted in Christopher Isherwood, Vedanta for Modern Man (1951).

Forbes, Malcolm -- The Sayings of Chairman Malcolm, “Simple Truths” (1978)

Dave — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:22:37 +0000

The difference between men and boys
Is the price of their toys.

Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990) American billionaire
The Sayings of Chairman Malcolm, “Simple Truths” (1978)

Also attributed to Liberace, J. T. Russell, Joyce Brothers, Mark Twain, Doris Rowland, and Dorothy Parker. The phrase can be found in this form in Millard Dale Baughman, Educator's Handbook of Stories, Quotes and Humor (1963), and in 1964 Senate testimony.

For a likely predecessor, see Franklin.

Gracián, Baltasar -- The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 157 (1647) [tr. Jacobs (1892)]

Dave — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:14:56 +0000

Better be cheated in the price than in the quality of goods.

[Más vale ser engañado en el precio que en la mercadería.]

Baltasar Gracián y Morales (1601-1658) Spanish Jesuit priest, writer, philosopher
The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 157 (1647) [tr. Jacobs (1892)]
(Source)

(Source (Spanish)). Alternate translations:

It is better to be deceived in the Price, than in the Commodity.
[Flesher ed. (1685)]

Far better to be cheated in the price, than in the goods.
[tr. Fischer (1937)]

Better to be cheated by the price than by the merchandise.
[tr. Maurer (1992)]

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Essay (1860), “Wealth,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 3

Dave — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:17:59 +0000

Money often costs too much, and power and pleasure are not cheap.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Essay (1860), “Wealth,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 3
(Source)

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

Stewart, Jon -- The Daily Show (2011-05-04)

Dave — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:55:41 +0000

Maybe we should always show pictures. Bin Laden, pictures of our wounded service people, pictures of maimed innocent civilians. We can only make decisions about war if we see what war actually is — and not as a video game where bodies quickly disappear, leaving behind a shiny gold coin.

Jon Stewart (b. 1962) American satirist, comedian, and television host. [b. Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz]
The Daily Show (2011-05-04)

Baldwin, James -- “Fifth Avenue, Uptown: a Letter from Harlem,” Esquire (Jul 1960)

Dave — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:01:53 +0000

Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.

James Baldwin (1924-1987) American novelist, playwright, activist
“Fifth Avenue, Uptown: a Letter from Harlem,” Esquire (Jul 1960)
(Source)

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1786-08-13) to George Wythe

Dave — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:13:45 +0000

Preach, my dear Sir, a crusade against ignorance; establish and improve the law for educating the common people. Let our countrymen know that the people alone can protect us against these evils, and that the tax which will be paid for this purpose is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1786-08-13) to George Wythe
(Source)

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 301 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 05:32:05 +0000

There are some remedies worse than the disease.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 301 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Howell, James -- Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία], or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “New Sayings” (1659)

Dave — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:23:20 +0000

Burn not thy fingers to snuff another man’s candle.

James Howell (c. 1594–1666) Welsh historian and writer
Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία], or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “New Sayings” (1659)
(Source)

Orben, Robert -- (Attributed (1974))

Dave — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:55:20 +0000

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.

Robert Orben (1927-2023) American comedy writer, magician, speechwriter
(Attributed (1974))

Frequently attributed to Ann Landers, who used it in her column, but she herself cited Derek Bok (who then wrote her to disavow it being his). Also attributed to Andy McIntyre.

Further discussion of this quotation's origins:

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 847

Dave — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:50:45 +0000

Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 847

Smith, Sydney -- Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith, by His Daughter, Lady Holland, Vol. 1, ch. 4 (1855)

Dave — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:39:18 +0000

Avoid shame but do not seek glory — nothing so expensive as glory.

Sydney Smith (1771-1845) English clergyman, essayist, wit
Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith, by His Daughter, Lady Holland, Vol. 1, ch. 4 (1855)
(Source)

Noted as his "favorite motto."

Rogers, Will -- Column (1931-06-28), “Daily Telegram: The First Good News of the 1932 Campaign! Mr. Rogers Says He Will Not Run for Anything”

Dave — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:57:47 +0000

Politics has got so expensive it takes lots of money to even get beat with nowadays.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1931-06-28), “Daily Telegram: The First Good News of the 1932 Campaign! Mr. Rogers Says He Will Not Run for Anything”
(Source)

Written in Santa Monica, California.

Hand, Learned -- Speech, Legal Aid Society of New York (1951-02-16)

Dave — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:29:39 +0000

If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: Thou shalt not ration justice.

Learned Hand (1872-1961) American jurist
Speech, Legal Aid Society of New York (1951-02-16)
(Source)

On ensuring that accused persons did not lack for counsel needed for a fair trial.

Antrim, Minna -- Naked Truth and Veiled Allusions (1902)

Dave — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:27:23 +0000

Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

Minna Antrim (1861-1950) American epigrammatist, writer
Naked Truth and Veiled Allusions (1902)
(Source)

Eisenhower, Dwight David -- “The Chance for Peace,” address to American Society of Newspaper Editors, Washington (16 April 1953)

Dave — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:07:45 +0000

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.

The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities. It is two electric power plants, each serving a town of 60,000 population. It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals. It is some 50 miles of concrete highway. We pay for a single fighter with a half million bushels of wheat. We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people.

This, I repeat, is the best way of life to be found on the road the world has been taking. This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) American general, US President (1953-61)
“The Chance for Peace,” address to American Society of Newspaper Editors, Washington (16 April 1953)

Also known as the "Cross of Iron" speech.

Paine, Thomas -- “The American Crisis” #4 (12 Sep 1777)

Dave — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:15:20 +0000

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) American political philosopher and writer
“The American Crisis” #4 (12 Sep 1777)
(Source)

Dostoyevsky, Fyodor -- The Brothers Karamazov, Part 2, book 5, ch. 4 [Ivan] (1880) [tr. Garnett (1912)]

Dave — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:57:11 +0000

“Imagine that you are creating a fabric of human destiny with the object of making men happy in the end, giving them peace and rest at last, but that it was essential and inevitable to torture to death only one tiny creature — that baby beating its breast with its fist, for instance — and to found that edifice on its unavenged tears, would you consent to be the architect on those conditions? Tell me, and tell the truth.”
“No, I wouldn’t consent,” said Alyosha softly.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) Russian novelist
The Brothers Karamazov, Part 2, book 5, ch. 4 [Ivan] (1880) [tr. Garnett (1912)]

Paine, Thomas -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:48:09 +0000

Better fare hard with good men than feast it with bad.

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) American political philosopher and writer
(Attributed)

Lippmann, Walter -- A Preface to Morals, 11.3 (1929)

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

He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so.

Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) American journalist and author
A Preface to Morals, 11.3 (1929)

Lewis, C.S. -- The Four Loves

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

Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up save in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket — safe, dark, motionless, airless — it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) English writer, literary scholar, lay theologian [Clive Staples Lewis]
The Four Loves

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1735 ed.)

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

Necessity never made a good bargain.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1735 ed.)
(Source)

A borrowing from Howell (1659).

Bronte, Anne -- “The Narrow Way” (1848)

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

But he that dares not grasp the thorn
Should never crave the rose.

Anne Brontë (1820-1849) British novelist, poet [pseud. Acton Bell]
“The Narrow Way” (1848)
(Source)

King, Martin Luther -- Speech, Institute on Nonviolence and Social Change, Bethel Baptist Church (3 Dec 1959)

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

Freedom is not free.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) American clergyman, civil rights leader, social activist, preacher
Speech, Institute on Nonviolence and Social Change, Bethel Baptist Church (3 Dec 1959)
(Source)

Knuth, Donald E. -- Essay (1974-12), “Structured Programming with go to Statements,” ACM Computing Surveys, Vol. 6

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

There is no doubt that the “grail” of efficiency leads to abuse. Programmers waste enormous amounts of time thinking about, or worrying about, the speed of noncritical parts of their programs, and these attempts at efficiency actually have a strong negative impact when debugging and maintenance are considered. We should forget about small efficiencies, say about 97% of the time: premature optimization is the root of all evil.

Donald E. Knuth (b. 1938) American computer scientist, mathematician, academic
Essay (1974-12), “Structured Programming with go to Statements,” ACM Computing Surveys, Vol. 6
(Source)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 2481 (1732)

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

Heaven is a cheap Purchase, whatever it cost.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 2481 (1732)
(Source)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 1090 (1732)

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

Cheat me in the Price, but not in the Goods.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 1090 (1732)
(Source)

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Debauchee,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 18:00:00 +0000

DEBAUCHEE, n. One who has so earnestly pursued pleasure that he has had the misfortune to overtake it.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Debauchee,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)

Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911).

Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1881-12-02).

Roosevelt, Theodore -- Speech (1899-04-10), “The Strenuous Life,” Hamilton Club, Chicago

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

Far better it is to dare mighty things, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those who neither enjoy much or suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901–1909)
Speech (1899-04-10), “The Strenuous Life,” Hamilton Club, Chicago
(Source)