WIST Quotations

Howell, James -- Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “English Proverbs” (1659) [compiler]

Dave — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:56:30 +0000

In every Countrey the Sun riseth in the morning.

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

In a later section ("English Proverbs Rendered into French, Italian & Spanish"), this is rendered "In every Countrey the Sun riseth still in the morning."

Shakespeare, William -- Macbeth, Act 3, sc. 2, l. 58ff (3.2.58-60) (1606)

Dave — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:05:55 +0000

MACBETH: Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
While night’s black agents to their preys do rouse.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Macbeth, Act 3, sc. 2, l. 58ff (3.2.58-60) (1606)
(Source)

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 4 (1966)

Dave — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 15:08:03 +0000

For the happiest life, rigorously plan your days, leave your nights open to chance.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983) American journalist and author
The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 4 (1966)
(Source)

Variant: "For the happiest life, days should be rigorously planned, nights left open to chance."

Carlyle, Thomas -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 14:20:37 +0000

Every day that is born into the world comes like a burst of music, and rings itself all the way through; and thou shalt make of it a dance, a dirge, or a grand life-march as thou wilt.

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) Scottish essayist and historian
(Attributed)

Variant: "Every day that is born into the world comes like a burst of music and rings itself the way through, and you make of it a dance, a dirge, or a life-march, as thou wilt."

The earliest reference I can find to this is its quotation in (or perhaps adjacent to) Kate W. Hamilton, "Ariel Seaton's Rainy Day," The Ladies' Repository (Jan 1868).

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett -- “The Lady’s ‘Yes'”, st. 1 (1844)

Dave — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:27:10 +0000

‘Yes,’ I answered you last night;
‘No,’ this morning, sir, I say.
Colors seen by candle-light,
Will not look the same by day.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) English poet
“The Lady’s ‘Yes'”, st. 1 (1844)

Thoreau, Henry David -- Walden; or, Life in the Woods, ch. 18 “Conclusion” (1854)

Dave — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:32:14 +0000

Only that day dawns to which we are awake.

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American philosopher and writer
Walden; or, Life in the Woods, ch. 18 “Conclusion” (1854)
(Source)

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Letter to one of his daughters

Dave — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:25:32 +0000

Finish every day and be done with it. For manners and for wise living it is a vice to remember. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely, and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Letter to one of his daughters
(Source)