WIST Quotations

Propertius -- Elegies, Book 2, Elegy 28, l. 57ff (2.28.57-58) [tr. Kline (2001), 2.28a]

Dave — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:01:38 +0000

No one has endless fortune, eternal beauty: sooner or later death awaits us all.

[Nec forma aeternum aut cuiquam est fortuna perennis:
longius aut propius mors sua quemque manet.]

Propertius (50–16 BC) Roman elegiac poet [Sextus Propertius]
Elegies, Book 2, Elegy 28, l. 57ff (2.28.57-58) [tr. Kline (2001), 2.28a]
(Source)

Beyond the debates of how to properly break the elegies into books, the text for this elegy about Cynthia's illness is fragmented, and various pieces have been grouped differently by various scholars (some even move just these two lines into a different elegy altogether).

(Source (Latin), 2.28c). Other translations:

Yes, beauty dies, and wealth and honour fall;
come soon, come late, death comes at last to all.
[tr. Moore (1870), 3.20]

For beauty dies and fortune flits away --
Death soon or late doth all that lives enthral.
[tr. Cranstoun (1875), 3.20]

Neither beauty endures for ever, nor is any one’s prosperity lasting: either far or near, his death is awaiting every one.
[tr. Gantillon (1884), 3.20]

Neither is anyone's beauty or fortune always abiding: far or near, his death is in wait for everyone.
[tr. Phillimore (1906), 2.28b]

Neither beauty nor fortune abideth everlastingly for any; sooner or later death awaiteth all.
[tr. Butler (Loeb) (1912), 2.28a]

No face can charm death and no fortune buy him;
all must fall victim to his greedy fire.
[tr. Carrier (1963), 2.28a]

For no one does beauty or fortune last forever.
Nearer or farther off stands death
And waits for all.
[tr. Musker (1972), 2.28c]

For none is beauty a lasting gift, for none lasts luck for ever: death sooner or later lies in store for all.
[tr. Goold (Loeb) (1990), 3.18]

Beauty is not forever and no one's luck will last.
further or nearer one's own death is waiting.
[tr. Lee (1992), 2.28b]

For none will beauty last, or fortune hold, and death
that's soon or late is end for all.
[tr. Holcombe (2009), 3.18]

Greenwood, Kerry -- Phryne Fisher, Book 11, Away with the Fairies, ch. 18 (2001)

Dave — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 23:38:01 +0000

The solemn ritual continued. The pastor gave his final blessing. The coffin was lowered into the grave and earth cast on it; the most final sound in the world, Phryne thought, clods thudding hollowly on the lid.

Kerry Greenwood (b. 1954) Australian author and lawyer
Phryne Fisher, Book 11, Away with the Fairies, ch. 18 (2001)
(Source)

Peters, Ellis -- Cadfael Chronicles No. 21, Brother Cadfael’s Penance, ch. 1 (1994)

Dave — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 17:03:29 +0000

He had never before been quite so acutely aware of the particular quality and function of November, its ripeness and its hushed sadness. The year proceeds not in a straight line through the seasons, but in a circle that brings the world and man back to the dimness and mystery in which both began, and out of which a new seed-time and a new generation are about to begin. Old men, thought Cadfael, believe in that new beginning, but experience only the ending. It may be that God is reminding me that I am approaching my November. Well, why regret it? November has beauty, has seen the harvest into the barns, even laid by next year’s seed. No need to fret about not being allowed to stay and sow it, someone else will do that. So go contentedly into the earth with the moist, gentle, skeletal leaves, worn to cobweb fragility, like the skins of very old men, that bruise and stain at the mere brushing of the breeze, and flower into brown blotches as the leaves into rotting gold. The colours of late autumn are the colours of the sunset: the farewell of the year and the farewell of the day. And of the life of man? Well, if it ends in a flourish of gold, that is no bad ending.

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. 1 (1994)
(Source)

Catullus -- Carmina # 76, ll. 17-20 [tr. MacNaghten (1925)]

Dave — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 21:34:41 +0000

‘Tis hard to end a years-long love to-day;
‘Tis hard, achieve it then as best you may;
This victory win, this only safety trust,
Say not you cannot or you can — you must .

[Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem;
Difficile est, verum hoc qua libet efficias.
Una salus haec est, hoc est tibi pervincendum;
Hoc facias, sive id non pote sive pote.]

Catullus (c. 84 BC – c. 54 BC) Latin poet [Gaius Valerius Catullus]
Carmina # 76, ll. 17-20 [tr. MacNaghten (1925)]
(Source)

On the need to break up with unfaithful Lesbia, his longtime love.

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

At once to quench an ancient flame, I own,
Is truly hard; but still no efforts spare;
On this thy peace depends, on this alone;
Then possible, or not, o conquer there!
[tr. Nott (1795), # 73 "To Himself"]

'Tis hard to lay long-cherish'd love aside;
'Tis hard at once. But 'tis your only plan;
'Tis all your hope. This love must be defied;
Nor think you cannot, but assert you can.
[tr. Lamb (1821), "The Lover's Petition (To Himself)"]

'Tis hard at once to fling a love away,
That has been cherish'd with the faith of years.
'Tis hard -- but 'tis thy duty. Come what may,
Crush every record of its joys, its fears!
[tr. T. Martin (1861), "Remorse"]

'Tis hard to quench at once a long-nursed love;
'Tis hard -- but do it howsoe'er you may;
It is your only chance -- our courage prove --
Easy or difficult -- you must obey.
[tr. Cranstoun (1867), "To Himself. The Lover's Petition", st. 4]

What? it is hard long love so lightly to leave in a moment?
Hard; yet abides this one duty, to do it: obey.
Here lies safety alone, one victory must not fail thee.
One last stake to be lost haply, perhaps to be won.
[tr. Ellis (1871)]

Difficult 'tis indeed long Love to depose of a sudden,
Difficult 'tis, yet do e'en as thou deem to be best.
This be thy safe-guard sole; this conquest needs to be conquered;
This thou must do, thus act, whether thou cannot or can.
[tr. Burton (1893), "In Self-Gratulation"]

It is difficult suddenly to set aside a love of long standing; it is difficult, this is true, no matter how you do it. This is your one salvation, this you must fight to the finish; you must do it, whether it is possible or impossible.
[tr. Smithers (1894)]

'Tis hard to lay aside at will
The love of years, -- and yet, I trow,
What men erewhile have borne may still;
Be borne, though hard, and shall be now.
Borne, ay, and done -- done, whatsoe'er
The pain of doing. Here for me,
Lies the sole refuge from despair,
And the end of all this misery.
[tr. Harman (1897), "The Soliloquy of Catullus"]

It is difficult suddenly to lay aside a long-standing love. It is difficult; but you should accomplish it, one way or another. This is the only safety, this you must carry through, this you are to do, whether it is possible or impossible.
[tr. Warre Cornish (1904)]

It is not easy, at a moment's notice, to lay aside a life-long love. It is not easy; but yo must do so, what way you can: this is our one salvation and must be attained by you: possible or impossible, do it you must.
[tr. Stuttaford (1912)]

It is difficult suddenly to lay aside a long-cherished love. It is difficult; but you should accomplish it, one way or another. This is the only safety, this you must carry through, this you are to do, whether it is possible or impossible.
[tr. Warre Cornish (Loeb) (1913)]

What can't be done, I still must do --
Forget, if I would live life through.
[tr. Stewart (1915)]

And though 'tis hard to cast a long-worn chain,
Choose any means, but freedom gain.
'Tis safety's only chance, then hold it fast
And do th'impossible at last!
[tr. Symons-Jeune (1923)]

Forbear, while heaven frowns, to fume and fret.
Steel your firm courage to escape her sway.
"'Tis hard," you say, "so quickly to forget,"
'Tis hard; but with a will there is a way.
Here is your chance: this victory you must win:
Whether you can nor no, the attempt begin.
[tr. Wright (1926), "The Poet's Prayer"]

For it is hard, hard to throw aside years lived in poisonous love that has tainted your brain
and must end.
If this seems impossible now, you must rise
to salvation.
[tr. Gregory (1931)]

It's hard to break off with someone you've loved such a long time:
it's hard, but you have to do it, somehow or another.
Your only chance is to get out from under this sickness,
no matter whether or not you think you're able.
[tr. C. Martin (1979)]

It’s difficult to suddenly let go of a former love,
it’s difficult, but it would gratify you to do it:
That’s your one salvation. That’s for you to prove,
for you to try, whether you can or not.
[tr. Kline (2001), "Past Kindness: to the Gods"]

It is difficult to suddenly put down a long love
It is difficult, but you should do this in whatever way is pleasing
This is the one safety this must be overcome by you
Do this whether it is possible or not possible
[tr. Wikibooks (2017)]

It is difficult to suddenly put away a long love
It is difficult, but you must effect this in some way or other:
it is the one salvation, this must be conquered by you
You must do this, whether it is impossible or possible.
[tr. Wikisource (2018)]

Byron, George Gordon, Lord -- Don Juan, Canto 4, st. 1 (1821)

Dave — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 14:18:45 +0000

Nothing so difficult as a beginning
In poesy, unless perhaps the end.

George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788–1824) English poet
Don Juan, Canto 4, st. 1 (1821)
(Source)

Euripides -- Æolus [Αἴολος], frag. 32 (TGF)

Dave — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:16:26 +0000

A bad beginning makes a bad ending.

[κακῆς <ἀπ'> ἀρχῆς γίγνεται τέλος κακόν]

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Æolus [Αἴολος], frag. 32 (TGF)
(Source)

Nauck frag. 32. (Source (Greek)). Another translation:

A bad ending comes from a bad beginning.
[tr. Collard & Cropp (2008)]

Fowler, Gene -- Quoted in H. Allen Smith, The Life and Legend of Gene Fowler, ch. 27 (1977)

Dave — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:57:45 +0000

A book is never finished, it is abandoned.

Gene Fowler (1890–1960) American journalist, author, and dramatist. [b. Eugene Devlan]
Quoted in H. Allen Smith, The Life and Legend of Gene Fowler, ch. 27 (1977)
(Source)

Fowler was speaking about publisher deadlines. Others have used similar phrases regarding the creative process as a whole. See Valéry and Abram.

Armour, Richard -- (Attributed)

Dave — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:21:05 +0000

It is all right to hold a conversation but you should let go of it now and then.

Richard Armour (1906–1989) American poet and author
(Attributed)
(Source)

Quoted in Herbert V. Prochnow, Speaker’s Handbook of Epigrams and Witticisms (1955). Origin unknown.

Shakespeare, William -- All’s Well That Ends Well, Act 5, sc. 3, l. 378ff (5.3.378-379) (1602?)

Dave — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 15:02:17 +0000

KING: All yet seems well, and if it end so meet,
The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
All’s Well That Ends Well, Act 5, sc. 3, l. 378ff (5.3.378-379) (1602?)
(Source)

Lewis, C.S. -- (Spurious)

Dave — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 23:33:47 +0000

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.

C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) English writer, literary scholar, lay theologian [Clive Staples Lewis]
(Spurious)

Not found in Lewis' writings, and not considered authentic. There is some similarity to this Lewis quotation. More discussion here:

Galsworthy, John -- Over the River, ch. 1 (1933)

Dave — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:12:11 +0000

The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy: the building of a house, the writing of a novel, the demolition of a bridge, and eminently, the finish of a voyage.

John Galsworthy (1867–1933) English novelist and playwright
Over the River, ch. 1 (1933)
(Source)

Machiavelli, Niccolo -- Florentine Histories, Book 3, ch. 2 (1521-5)

Dave — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 20:33:24 +0000

Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
Florentine Histories, Book 3, ch. 2 (1521-5)

As commonly given, specific translation unknown. Other translations:

"It is in the power of any man to begin a war, but he cannot end it when he pleases." [tr. Lester (1843)]
"People may go to war when they will, but cannot always withdraw when they like." [Bohn's Standard Library (1891)]
"Wars begin at the will of anyone, but they do not end at anyone's will." [tr. Banield and Mansfield (1988), Book 3, ch. 7]

Asimov, Isaac -- The Gods Themselves, Sec. 3, ch. 19 (1972)

Dave — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:06:12 +0000

There are no happy endings in history, only crisis points that pass.

Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) Russian-American author, polymath, biochemist
The Gods Themselves, Sec. 3, ch. 19 (1972)

Gaiman, Neil -- Sandman, Book 9. The Kindly Ones, # 57 “Chapter 1” (1993-02)

Dave — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:23:36 +0000

THE CRONE: Can’t say I’ve ever been too fond of beginnings, myself. Messy little things. Give me a good ending any time. You know where you are with an ending.

Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) British author, screenwriter, fabulist
Sandman, Book 9. The Kindly Ones, # 57 “Chapter 1” (1993-02)
(Source)

As the eldest of the Kindly Ones (Fates, Moirai, etc.), the Crone's task, in the aspect of Atropos, is literally to cut the thread at the end of a life.

Gaiman, Neil -- Sandman, Book 2. The Doll’s House, # 16 “Lost Hearts” (1990)

Dave — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:20:31 +0000

ROSE: “And then she woke up.” I suppose there are worse endings.

Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) British author, screenwriter, fabulist
Sandman, Book 2. The Doll’s House, # 16 “Lost Hearts” (1990)
(Source)

Williams, Tennessee -- Camino Real, Block 8 [Byron] (1953)

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

There is a time for departure even when there’s no certain place to go.

Tennessee Williams (1911–1983) American playwright
Camino Real, Block 8 [Byron] (1953)
(Source)