WIST Quotations

Addison, Joseph -- Essay (1711-10-09), The Spectator, No. 191

Dave — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:01:45 +0000

The man who will live above his present circumstances is in great danger of living in a little time much beneath them; or as the Italian proverb runs, “The man who lives by hope, will die by hunger.”

Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1711-10-09), The Spectator, No. 191
(Source)

Austen, Jane -- Letter (1811-04-18) to Cassandra Austen

Dave — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:44:43 +0000

I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant, and spending all my money, and, what is worse for you, I have been spending yours too.

Jane Austen (1775–1817) English author
Letter (1811-04-18) to Cassandra Austen
(Source)

Basil of Caesarea -- “To the Rich [Ὁμιλία πρὸς τοὺς πλουτούντας],” sermon (c. 368) [tr. Schroeder (2009)]

Dave — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 20:47:20 +0000

Yet it is not on account of food or clothing that wealth is sought by most. Some device has been concocted by the devil, suggesting innumerable spending opportunities to the wealthy, so that they pursue unnecessary and worthless things as if they were indispensable, and no amount is sufficient for the expenditures they contrive.

[Ἀλλ’ οὐ γὰρ ἱματίων ἕνεκεν οὐδὲ τροφῶν ὁ πλοῦτός ἐστι τοῖς πολλοῖς περισπούδαστος, ἀλλά τις ἐπινενόηται μεθοδεία τῷ διαβόλῳ, μυρίας τοῖς πλουσίοις δαπάνης ἀφορμὰς ὑποβάλλουσα, ὥστε τὰ περιττὰ καὶ ἄχρηστα ὡς ἀναγκαῖα σπου δάζεσθαι, μηδὲν δὲ αὐτοῖς ἐξαρκεῖν πρὸς τὴν τῶν ἀναλωμάτων ἐπίνοιαν.]

Basil of Caesarea (AD 330–378) Christian bishop, theologian, monasticist, Doctor of the Church [Saint Basil the Great, Ἅγιος Βασίλειος ὁ Μέγας]
“To the Rich [Ὁμιλία πρὸς τοὺς πλουτούντας],” sermon (c. 368) [tr. Schroeder (2009)]
(Source)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1735 ed.)

Dave — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 16:06:36 +0000

The King’s cheese is half wasted in parings: But no matter, ’tis made of the peoples milk.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1735 ed.)
(Source)

Morris, William -- “The Beauty of Life,” lecture, Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design (19 Feb 1880)

Dave — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 16:34:47 +0000

The greatest foe to art is luxury, art cannot live in its atmosphere.

William Morris (1834–1896) British textile designer, writer, socialist activist
“The Beauty of Life,” lecture, Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design (19 Feb 1880)
(Source)

Inge, William Ralph -- “Our Present Discontents,” Outspoken Essays: First Series (1919)

Dave — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:28:51 +0000

Senseless extravagance is the best friend of revolution.

William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) English prelate [Dean Inge]
“Our Present Discontents,” Outspoken Essays: First Series (1919)

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 16 “Des Mœurs publiques et privées; du Caractère des Nations [On Morality and the Character of Nations],” ¶ 38 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866), ch. 12]

Dave — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:02:01 +0000

All luxury corrupts either the morals or the taste.

[Tout luxe corrompt ou les mœurs ou le goût.]

Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 16 “Des Mœurs publiques et privées; du Caractère des Nations [On Morality and the Character of Nations],” ¶ 38 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866), ch. 12]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Other translations:

All luxury corrupts either conduct or taste.
[tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 15, ¶ 15]

Every form of extravagance corrupts either one's morals or one's taste.
[tr. Collins (1928), ch. 15]

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1992-09-19)

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

CALVIN: I’m a simple man, Hobbes.

HOBBES: You?? Yesterday you wanted a nuclear powered car that could turn into a jet with laser-guided heat-seeking missiles!

CALVIN: I’m a simple man with complex tastes.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1992-09-19)
(Source)