WIST Quotations

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], 1809 entry [tr. Auster (1983)]

Dave — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:33:11 +0000

A work is perfectly finished only when nothing can be added to it and nothing taken away.

Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], 1809 entry [tr. Auster (1983)]
(Source)

I could not find an analog in other translations of the Pensées.

Shakespeare, William -- Troilus and Cressida, Act 3, sc. 3, l. 153ff (3.3.153-158) (1602)

Dave — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:49:48 +0000

ULYSSES: Those scraps are good deeds past, which are devoured
As fast as they are made, forgot as soon
As done. Perseverance, dear my lord,
Keeps honor bright. To have done is to hang
Quite out of fashion like a rusty mail
In monumental mock’ry.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Troilus and Cressida, Act 3, sc. 3, l. 153ff (3.3.153-158) (1602)
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- Macbeth, Act 5, sc. 1, l. 71 (5.1.71) (1606)

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

LADY MACBETH: What’s done cannot be undone.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Macbeth, Act 5, sc. 1, l. 71 (5.1.71) (1606)
(Source)

See previously.

Shakespeare, William -- Winter’s Tale, Act 3, sc. 2, l. 246ff (3.2.246-247) (1611)

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

PAULINA: What’s gone and what’s past help
Should be past grief.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Winter’s Tale, Act 3, sc. 2, l. 246ff (3.2.246-247) (1611)
(Source)

Euripides -- Alexander [Ἀλέξανδρος], Frag. 44 (TGF) [Chorus?] (415 BC) [tr. Morgan]

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

Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Alexander [Ἀλέξανδρος], Frag. 44 (TGF) [Chorus?] (415 BC) [tr. Morgan]
(Source)

Other translations:

Shed not fresh tears for ills of ancient date.
[Fragment: Barnes 47, Musgrave 20]

You must not mourn for old things with fresh tears.
[tr. Yalouris]