WIST Quotations

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2390 (1727)

Dave — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:15:42 +0000

Think no Cost too much in the Purchasing [of] good Books; this is next to the acquiring of good Friends. But remember, they are better Ornaments in thy Head than in thy Library.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2390 (1727)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1740 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:38:03 +0000

Thou hadst better eat salt with the Philosophers of Greece, than sugar with the Courtiers of Italy.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1740 ed.)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 1858 (1727)

Dave — Wed, 21 May 2025 15:15:35 +0000

If thou wouldest be provident of thy Time; make choice of good Company, and good Books.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 1858 (1727)

Austen, Jane -- Persuasion, ch. 16 (1818)

Dave — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 17:34:00 +0000

Anne smiled and said, “My idea of good company, Mr. Elliot, is a company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what a call good company.”
“You are mistaken,” said he, gently, “that is not good company; that is the best.”

Jane Austen (1775–1817) English author
Persuasion, ch. 16 (1818)

Herbert, George -- Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 120 (1640 ed.)

Dave — Fri, 24 May 2024 14:05:28 +0000

Keepe good men company, and you shall be of the number.

George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 120 (1640 ed.)

Child, Julia -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 18:39:54 +0000

People who love to eat are always the best people.

Julia Child (1912–2004) American chef and writer
(Attributed)

Quoted in and title of a 2020 book of Child quotations, collected by the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy. Further source unknown.

Moliere -- Le Misanthrope, Act 5, sc. 4 (1666) [tr. Wilbur (1954)]

Dave — Fri, 29 May 2020 21:38:15 +0000

ACASTE: The presence of those one loves is the true and perfect seasoning to all one’s pleasures.

[C’est un merveilleux assaisonnement aux plaisirs qu’on goûte que la présence des gens qu’on aime.]

Molière (1622–1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
Le Misanthrope, Act 5, sc. 4 (1666) [tr. Wilbur (1954)]

Reading a letter from Céliméne to Clitandre.

(Source (French)). Other translations:

The presence of all those we love is an excellent relish to our pleasures.
[tr. Van Laun (1878)]

The presence of people we love gives a wonderful relish to pleasures.
[tr. Mathew (1890)]

It is a wonderful seasoning of all enjoyments to think of those we love.
[tr. Wormeley (1894)]

The society fo those we love is a wonderful relish to our pleasure.
[tr. Waller (1903)]

The presence of people we like gives a marvelous relish to our pleasures.
[tr. Page (1913)]

The presence of people one is really fond of is the best seasoning for social amusements.
[tr. Bishop (1957)]

A marvelous seasoning for the pleasures we enjoy is the presence of the persons we love.
[tr. Frame (1967)]

Blake, William -- “The Little Vagabond,” Songs of Experience (1794)

Dave — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 04:03:29 +0000

But if at the Church they would give us some ale,
And a pleasant fire, our souls to regale,
We’d sing and we’d pray all the live-long day,
Nor ever once wish from the Church to stray.
… And God like a father rejoicing to see
His children as pleasant and happy as he,
Would have no more quarrel with the Devil or the barrel,
But kiss him and give him both drink and apparel.

William Blake (1757–1827) English poet, mystic, artist
“The Little Vagabond,” Songs of Experience (1794)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 3163 (1732)

Dave — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:12:11 +0000

Learning makes a Man fit Company for himself.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 3163 (1732)