WIST Quotations

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Column (1942-09), “If You Ask Me,” Ladies’ Home Journal, Vol. 59

Dave — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:57:36 +0000

Q. With what the Germans, Japanese and Italians are trying to do to the democracies of the world — especially our United States — do you really mean you would permit your children to number among their friends any Germans, Japanese or Italians?

A. I certainly do. How are we going to live in peace in the world of the future if we cannot be friends ourselves with Germans, Japanese or Italians? I have friends of all those nationalities; some of them have fled their own countries because they were in disagreement with the policies of the governments of those countries. I imagine there are many people still in those countries who are suffering because they do not agree with what their governments are doing. If we take the attitude that we can never be friends with people of these nationalities, our chance for a peaceful world in the future is slim indeed!

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) First Lady of the US (1933–1945), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1942-09), “If You Ask Me,” Ladies’ Home Journal, Vol. 59
(Source)

Lincoln, Abraham -- Speech (1859-09-30), Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee

Dave — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:59:06 +0000

To correct the evils, great and small, which spring from want of sympathy, and from positive enmity, among strangers, as nations, or as individuals, is one of the highest functions of civilization.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
Speech (1859-09-30), Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee
(Source)

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1995-07-07)

Dave — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 19:49:51 +0000

CALVIN: I’m writing a fund-raising letter. The secret to getting donations is to depict everyone who disagrees with you as the enemy. Then you explain how they’re systematically working to destroy everything you hold dear. It’s a War of Values! Rational discussion is hopeless! Compromise is unthinkable! Our only hope is well-funded antagonism, so we need your money to keep up the fight!

HOBBES: How cynically unconstructive.

CALVIN: Enmity sells.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1995-07-07)
(Source)