WIST Quotations

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Memoir (1937), This Is My Story, ch. 2 “Adolescence”

Dave — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:39:05 +0000

Occasionally he took us on a picnic or a camping trip and taught us many valuable lessons. The chief one was to remember that camping was a good way to find out people’s characters. Those who were selfish showed it very soon, in that they wanted the best bed or the best food and did not want to do their share of the work.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American politician, diplomat, activist; First Lady of the US (1933–45)
Memoir (1937), This Is My Story, ch. 2 “Adolescence”

Referring to her uncle, Teddy Roosevelt.

The same passage is included in her compiled 1961 Autobiography, Part 1, ch. 2 "Adolescence."

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Deserve,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-03-03)

Dave — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:41:22 +0000

DESERVE, n. The quality of being entitled to what somebody else obtains.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Deserve,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-03-03)

Not collected in later books.

Mills, C. Wright -- The Power Elite, ch. 1 “The Higher Circles,” sec. 4 (1956)

Dave — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:46:39 +0000

People with advantages are loath to believe that they just happen to be people with advantages. They come readily to define themselves as inherently worthy of what they possess; they come to believe themselves “naturally” elite, and, in fact, to imagine their possessions and their privileges as natural extensions of their own elite selves.

C. Wright Mills (1916–1962) American sociologist, academic, author [Charles Wright Mills]
The Power Elite, ch. 1 “The Higher Circles,” sec. 4 (1956)

Hoover, Herbert -- Letter (1928-06-14) to George Moses

Dave — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 18:16:04 +0000

You convey too great a compliment when you say that I have earned the right to the presidential nomination. No man can establish such an obligation upon any part of the American people. My country owes me no debt. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, opportunity for service and honor. In no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded hope. My whole life has taught me what America means. I am indebted to my country beyond any human power to repay.

Herbert Hoover (1874–1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929–33)
Letter (1928-06-14) to George Moses

On formally learning from Senator Moses of his nomination for President. The open letter was in the form of a return telegram to Moses, the chairman of the Republican National Convention, and was read aloud to that gathering in Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri..

Steele, Richard -- Essay (1711-03-01), The Spectator, No. 2

Dave — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:06:43 +0000

It is a civil Cowardice to be backward in asserting what you ought to expect, as it is a military Fear to be slow in attacking when it is your Duty.

Richard Steele (1672–1729) Anglo-Irish writer, journalist, playwright, politician
Essay (1711-03-01), The Spectator, No. 2

A comment by "Captain Sentry."

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1995-01-25)

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

CALVIN: I wish I could just take a pill to be perfect and I wish I could just push a button and have anything I want.

HOBBES: The American Dream lives on.

CALVIN: Why should I have to work for everything?! It’s like saying I don’t deserve it!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1995-01-25)