WIST Quotations

Gracián, Baltasar -- The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 101 (1647) [tr. Fischer (1937)]

Dave — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:24:43 +0000

There is no weakness without its admirer, so be not discomfited because your ways displease some, for they will not fail to be pleasing to others: nor let their approval of them make you vain, for still others will condemn them.

[No hay defecto sin afecto, ni se ha de desconfiar porque no agraden las cosas a algunos, que no faltarán otros que las aprecien; ni aun el aplauso de estos le sea materia al desvanecimiento, que otros lo condenarán.]

Baltasar Gracián y Morales (1601–1658) Spanish Jesuit priest, writer, philosopher
The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 101 (1647) [tr. Fischer (1937)]

(Source (Spanish)). Other translations:

There is no fault without an adherent, and thou oughtest not to be discouraged, if what thou doest, pleases not some, seeing there will always be others who will value it. But be not proud of the approbation of these, since you will be still exposed to the censure of others.
[Flesher ed. (1685)]

There is no fault which has not some one enamoured of it, nor must we lose courage if what we do does not please some, for there are sure to be others who will value it; and yet we should not be made vain by their applause, for there are equally sure to be again others who will wholly disapprove.
[tr. Duff (1877)]

There is no defect which is not affected by some, nor need we lose heart if things please not some, for others will appreciate them. Nor need their applause turn our head, for there will surely be others to condemn.
[tr. Jacobs (1892)]

There is no defect that someone does not value, and you need not lower your opinion because a thing doesn't please some people: there will be others to appreciate it, and their applause, in turn, will be condemned.
[tr. Maurer (1992)]

Gracián, Baltasar -- The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 101 (1647) [tr. Duff (1877)]

Dave — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:44:05 +0000

As many tastes as heads, and as different.

[Tantos son los gustos como los rostros, y tan varios.]

Baltasar Gracián y Morales (1601–1658) Spanish Jesuit priest, writer, philosopher
The Art of Worldly Wisdom [Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia], § 101 (1647) [tr. Duff (1877)]

(Source (Spanish)). Other translations:

There are as many Opinions as Faces, and as great difference amongst the one as the other.
[Flesher ed. (1685)]

So many men, so many tastes, all different.
[tr. Jacobs (1892)]

There are as many minds, as there are heads, and as different.
[tr. Fischer (1937)]

Tastes are as abundant as faces and just as varied.
[tr. Maurer (1992)]

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1993-11-16)

Dave — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:55:28 +0000

CALVIN: I don’t care about issues! I’ve got better things to do than argue with every wrong-headed crackpot with an ignorant opinion! I’m a busy man! I say, either agree with me or take a hike! I’m right, period! End of discussion!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-11-16)

Stevenson, Robert Louis -- Essay (1878-03), “Crabbed Age and Youth,” Cornhill Magazine, Vol. 37

Dave — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:33:57 +0000

In short, if youth is not quite right in its opinions, there is a strong probability that age is not much more so.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Essay (1878-03), “Crabbed Age and Youth,” Cornhill Magazine, Vol. 37

Collected in Virginibus Puerisque and Other Papers, ch. 2 (1881)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 1228 (1725)

Dave — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:12:28 +0000

Hate not Opinions for being contrary to thy own, nor be angry to see a Difference between thine and other Men’s Judgment. Thou art not bound to rectify all Men’s Mistakes. And it is not certain, but thou thy self mayst be in the wrong.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 1228 (1725)

Maugham, W. Somerset -- The Summing Up, ch. 5 (1938)

Dave — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:59:23 +0000

If in the following pages I seem to express myself dogmatically, it is only because I find it very boring to qualify every phrase with an ‘I think’ or ‘to my mind.’ Everything I say is merely an Opinion of my own. The reader can take it or leave it. If he has the patience to read what follows he will see that there is only one thing about which I am certain, and this is that there is very little about which one can be certain.

W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) English novelist and playwright [William Somerset Maugham]
The Summing Up, ch. 5 (1938)

Descartes, René -- Discourse on Method [Discours de la méthode], Part 2 (1637) [tr. Veitch (1901)]

Dave — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 16:08:01 +0000

In the course of my travels I remarked that all those whose opinions are decidedly repugnant to ours are not in that account barbarians and savages, but on the contrary that many of these nations make an equally good, if not better, use of their reason than we do. I took into account also the very different character which a person brought up from infancy in France or Germany exhibits, from that which, with the same mind originally, this individual would have possessed had he lived always among the Chinese or with savages, and the circumstance that in dress itself the fashion which pleased us ten years ago, and which may again, perhaps, be received into favor before ten years have gone, appears to us at this moment extravagant and ridiculous. I was thus led to infer that the ground of our opinions is far more custom and example than any certain knowledge.

[Et depuis, en voyageant, ayant reconnu que tous ceux qui ont des sentiments fort contraires aux nôtres ne sont pas pour cela barbares ni sauvages, mais que plusieurs usent autant ou plus que nous de raison; et ayant considéré combien un même homme, avec son même esprit, étant nourri dès son enfance entre des Français ou des Allemands, devient différent de ce qu’il seroit s’il avoit toujours vécu entre des Chinois ou des cannibales, et comment, jusques aux modes de nos habits, la même chose qui nous a plu il y a dix ans, et qui nous plaira peut-être encore avant dix ans, nous semble maintenant extravagante et ridicule; en sorte que c’est bien plus la coutume et l’exemple qui nous persuade, qu’aucune connaissance certaine.]

René Descartes (1596–1650) French philosopher, mathematician
Discourse on Method [Discours de la méthode], Part 2 (1637) [tr. Veitch (1901)]

(Source (French)). Other translations:

And having since observ’d in my travails, That all those whose opinions are contrary to ours, are not therefore barbarous or savage, but that many use as much or more reason then we; and having consider’d how much one Man with his own understanding, bred up from his childhood among the French or the Dutch, becomes different from what he would be, had he alwayes liv’d amongst the Chineses, or the Cannibals: And how even in the fashion of our Clothes, the same thing which pleas’d ten years since, and which perhaps wil please ten years hence, seems now to us ridiculous and extravagant. So that it’s much more Custome and Example which perswades us, then any assured knowledg.
[tr. Newcombe ed. (1649)]

I further recognized in the course of my travels that all those whose sentiments are very contrary to ours are yet not necessarily barbarians or savages, but may be possessed of reason in as great or even a greater degree than ourselves. I also considered how very different the self-same man, identical in mind and spirit, may have become, according as he is brought up from childhood amongst the French or Germans, or has passed his whole life amongst Chinese or cannibals. I likewise noticed how even in the fashions of one's clothing the same thing that pleased us ten years ago, and which will perhaps please us once again before ten years are passed, seems at the present time extravagant and ridiculous. I thus concluded that it is much more custom and example that persuade us than any certain knowledge.
[tr. Haldane & Ross (1911)]

Since then I have recognized through my travels that those with views quite contrary to ours are not on that account barbarians or savages, but that many of them make use of reason as much or more than we do. I thought, too, how the same man, with the same mind, if brought up from infancy among the French or Germans, develops otherwise than he would if he had always lived among the Chinese or cannibals; and how, even in our fashions of dress, the very thing that pleased us ten years ago, and will perhaps please us again ten years hence, now strikes us as extravagant and ridiculous. Thus it is custom and example that persuade us, rather than any certain knowledge.
[tr. Cottingham, Stoothoff (1985)]

Polk, James K. -- Inaugural Address (4 Mar 1845)

Dave — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 16:07:38 +0000

Although in our country the Chief Magistrate must almost of necessity be chosen by a party and stand pledged to its principles and measures, yet in his official action he should not be the President of a part only, but of the whole people of the United States. While he executes the laws with an impartial hand, shrinks from no proper responsibility, and faithfully carries out in the executive department of the Government the principles and policy of those who have chosen him, he should not be unmindful that our fellow-citizens who have differed with him in opinion are entitled to the full and free exercise of their opinions and judgments, and that the rights of all are entitled to respect and regard.

James K. Polk (1795–1849) American lawyer, politician, US President (1845–1849)
Inaugural Address (4 Mar 1845)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Letter to Josiah Franklin (Apr 1738) [draft]

Dave — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 15:28:38 +0000

From such Considerations as these it follows, that I ought never to be angry with any one for differing in Judgment from me. For how know I but the Point in dispute between us, is one of those Errors that I have embrac’d as Truth. If I am in the Wrong, I should not be displeas’d that another is in the Right. If I am in the Right, ’tis my Happiness; and I should rather pity than blame him who is unfortunately in the Wrong.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Letter to Josiah Franklin (Apr 1738) [draft]

His father.

Franklin, Benjamin -- Letter to Josiah and Abiah Franklin (13 Apr 1738)

Dave — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:02:42 +0000

You both seem concern’d lest I have imbib’d some erroneous Opinions. Doubtless I have my Share, and when the natural Weakness and Imperfection of Human Understanding is considered, with the unavoidable Influences of Education, Custom, Books and Company, upon our Ways of thinking, I imagine a Man must have a good deal of Vanity who believes, and a good deal of Boldness who affirms, that all the Doctrines he holds, are true; and all he rejects, are false. And perhaps the same may be justly said of every Sect, Church and Society of men when they assume to themselves that Infallibility which they deny to the Popes and Councils. I think Opinions should be judg’d of by their Influences and Effects; and if a Man holds none that tend to make him less Virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded he holds none that are dangerous; which I hope is the Case with me.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Letter to Josiah and Abiah Franklin (13 Apr 1738)

His parents.

Harris, Sydney J. -- Pieces of Eight (1982)

Dave — Mon, 27 May 2019 18:56:01 +0000

Youth finds no value in the views it disagrees with, but maturity includes discovering that even an opinion contrary to ours may contain a vein of truth we could profitably assimilate to our own views.

Sydney J. Harris (1917–1986) Anglo-American columnist, journalist, author
Pieces of Eight (1982)

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. -- Abrams v. United States, 250 U.S. 616 (1919) [dissent]

Dave — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:11:28 +0000

Persecution for the expression of opinions seems to me perfectly logical. If you have no doubt of your premises or your power, and want a certain result with all your heart, you naturally express your wishes in law, and sweep away all opposition. To allow opposition by speech seems to indicate that you think the speech impotent, as when a man says that he has squared the circle, or that you do not care wholeheartedly for the result, or that you doubt either your power or your premises.

But when men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas — that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market, and that truth is the only ground upon which their wishes safely can be carried out.

That, at any rate, is the theory of our Constitution. It is an experiment, as all life is an experiment. Every year, if not every day, we have to wager our salvation upon some prophecy based upon imperfect knowledge. While that experiment is part of our system, I think that we should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we loathe and believe to be fraught with death, unless they so imminently threaten immediate interference with the lawful and pressing purposes of the law that an immediate check is required to save the country.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American jurist, Supreme Court Justice
Abrams v. United States, 250 U.S. 616 (1919) [dissent]

Heinlein, Robert A. -- Friday [Friday Jones] (1982)

Dave — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:51:36 +0000

I do not kill everyone with whom I have a difference of opinion and I would not want anyone reading this memoir to think that I do.

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) American writer
Friday [Friday Jones] (1982)

Stevenson, Robert Louis -- Essay (1878-03), “Crabbed Age and Youth,” Cornhill Magazine, Vol. 38

Dave — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:46:43 +0000

Age may have one side, but assuredly Youth has the other. There is nothing more certain than that both are right, except perhaps that both are wrong. Let them agree to differ; for who knows but what agreeing to differ may not be a form of agreement rather than a form of difference?

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Essay (1878-03), “Crabbed Age and Youth,” Cornhill Magazine, Vol. 38

Collected in Virginibus Puerisque and Other Papers, ch. 2 (1881)

Twain, Mark -- Christian Science, Book 1, ch. 5 (1907)

Dave — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 21:39:36 +0000

Let us consider that we are all partially insane. It will explain us to each other; it will unriddle many riddles; it will make clear and simple many things which are involved in haunting and harassing difficulties and obscurities now.

Those of us who are not in the asylum, and not demonstrably due there, are nevertheless, no doubt, insane in one or two particulars. I think we must admit this; but I think that we are otherwise healthy-minded. I think that when we all see one thing alike, it is evidence that, as regards that one thing, our minds are perfectly sound. Now there are really several things which we do all see alike; things which we all accept, and about which we do not dispute. For instance, we who are outside of the asylum all agree that water seeks its level; that the sun gives light and heat; that fire consumes; that fog is damp; that six times six are thirty-six, that two from ten leaves eight; that eight and seven are fifteen. These are, perhaps, the only things we are agreed about; but, although they are so few, they are of inestimable value, because they make an infallible standard of sanity. Whosoever accepts them him we know to be substantially sane; sufficiently sane; in the working essentials, sane. Whoever disputes a single one of them him we know to be wholly insane, and qualified for the asylum.

Very well, the man who disputes none of them we concede to be entitled to go at large. But that is concession enough. We cannot go any further than that; for we know that in all matters of mere opinion that same man is insane — just as insane as we are; just as insane as Shakespeare was. We know exactly where to put our finger upon his insanity: it is where his opinion differs from ours.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Christian Science, Book 1, ch. 5 (1907)

Mann, Horace -- Thoughts (1867)

Dave — Tue, 29 May 2012 12:45:50 +0000

Do not think of knocking out another person’s brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.

Horace Mann (1796–1859) American politician, abolitionist, education reformer
Thoughts (1867)

Ivins, Molly -- Essay (2002-11-19), “Blast from the Past,” Creators Syndicate column

Dave — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:02:31 +0000

There is a batty degree of triumphalism loose in this country right now. We are brushing off world opinion as though it mattered not a whit what other people think of us.

Molly Ivins (1944–2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Essay (2002-11-19), “Blast from the Past,” Creators Syndicate column

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1743 ed.)

Dave — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:42:01 +0000

Men differ daily, about things which are subject to Sense, is it likely then they should agree about things invisible.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1743 ed.)

Lincoln, Abraham -- Speech (1862-09-13) to the Emancipation Memorial presented by Chicago Christians of All Denominations.

Dave — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:00:23 +0000

I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are equally certain that they represent the Divine will. I am sure that either the one or the other class is mistaken in the belief, and perhaps in some respects both. I hope it will not be irreverent for me to say that if it is probable that God would reveal his will to others, on a point so connected with my duty, it might be supposed he would reveal it directly to me; for, unless I am more deceived in myself than I often am, it is my earnest desire to know the will of Providence in this matter. And if I can learn what it is I will do it! These are not, however, the days of miracles, and I suppose it will be granted that I am not to expect a direct revelation. I must study the plain physical facts of the case, ascertain what is possible and learn what appears to be wise and right. The subject is difficult, and good men do not agree.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
Speech (1862-09-13) to the Emancipation Memorial presented by Chicago Christians of All Denominations.

From a report of the delegation that presented Lincoln with a memorial in favor of national emancipation. The report, detailing Lincoln's comments and their replies, was presented to the sending parties on 1862-09-20, and released to newspapers over the following days.

Hobbes, Thomas -- Leviathan, Part 1, ch. 11 (1651)

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

From the same it proceedeth that men give different names to one and the same thing from the difference of their own passions: as they that approve a private opinion call it opinion; but they that mislike it, heresy: and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion; but has only a greater tincture of choler.

Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English philosopher
Leviathan, Part 1, ch. 11 (1651)

Mill, John Stuart -- On Liberty, ch. 2 “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” (1859)

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

If all mankind, minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.

John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) English philosopher and economist
On Liberty, ch. 2 “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” (1859)

Martin, Judith -- “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1978-10-08)

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

Ideological differences are no excuse for rudeness.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
“Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1978-10-08)

On interactions between the general public and picketers, though she has used the phrase on other occasions.

Reprinted in Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 3 "Basic Civilization," "Common Courtesy for All Ages" (1983).

Montaigne, Michel de -- Essays, Book 2, ch. 37 (2.37), “Of the Resemblance of Children to Their Fathers [De la ressemblance des enfans aux peres] (1579) [tr. Frame (1943)]

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

And there were never in the world two opinions alike, any more than two hairs or two grains. Their most universal quality is diversity.

[Et ne fut jamais au monde, deux opinions pareilles, non plus que deux poils, ou deux grains. Leur plus universelle qualité, c’est la diversité.]

Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592) French essayist
Essays, Book 2, ch. 37 (2.37), “Of the Resemblance of Children to Their Fathers [De la ressemblance des enfans aux peres] (1579) [tr. Frame (1943)]

Appeared in the first (1580) edition, with revisions in succeeding editions. The specific mention of hairs and grains first appears in the 1595 edition.

(Source (French)). Other translations:

And never were there two opinions in the world alike, no more than two haires, or two graines. Diversitie is the most universall qualitie.
[tr. Florio (1603)]

There never were in the world two opinions more alike, than two hairs, or two grains; their most universal quality is diversity.
[tr. Cotton (1686)]

And there never were, in the world, two opinions alike, no more than two hairs, or two grains: their most universal quality is diversity.
[tr. Cotton/Hazlitt (1877)]

And there were never in the world two opinions alike, any more than two hairs or two seeds. Their most universal quality is diversity.
[tr. Ives (1925)]

In the whole world there has never been two identical opinions, any more than two identical hairs or seeds. Their most universal characteristic is diversity. [tr. Screech (1987)]