WIST Quotations

Descartes, René -- Discourse on Method [Discours de la méthode], Part 2 (1637) [tr. Veitch (1850)]

Dave — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 22:54:16 +0000

… To divide each of the difficulties under examination into as many parts as possible, and as might be necessary for its adequate solution.

[… De diviser chacune des difficultés que j’examinerais, en autant de parcelles qu’il se pourroit, et qu’il seroit requis pour les mieux résoudre.]

René Descartes (1596–1650) French philosopher, mathematician
Discourse on Method [Discours de la méthode], Part 2 (1637) [tr. Veitch (1850)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Other translations:

... To divide every One of these difficulties, which I was to examine into as many parcels as could be, and, as was requisite the better to resolve them.
[Newcombe ed. (1649)]

... To divide up each of the difficulties which I examined into as many parts as possible, and as seemed requisite in order that it might be resolved in the best manner possible.
[tr. Haldane & Ross (1911)]

... To divide each problem I examined into as many parts as was feasible, and as was requisite for its better solution.
[tr. Ascombe & Geach (1971)]

... To divide each of the difficulties I examined into as many parts as possible, and as may be required in order to resolve them better.
[tr. Cottingham, Stoothoff (1985)]

Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it.

Brecht, Bertholt -- “Solidarity song [Solidaritätslied]” (1931) [tr. Willett]

Dave — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:33:06 +0000

All the gang of those who rule us
Hope our quarrels never stop
Helping them to split and fool us
So they can remain on top.

Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German poet, playwright, director, dramaturgist
“Solidarity song [Solidaritätslied]” (1931) [tr. Willett]

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1798-06-04) to John Taylor

Dave — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:47:18 +0000

It is the old practice of despots to use a part of the people to keep the rest in order.

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801–09)
Letter (1798-06-04) to John Taylor
(Source)