WIST Quotations

Thoreau, Henry David -- Speech (1859-10-30), “A Plea for Captain John Brown,” Concord, Massachusetts

Dave — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:43:17 +0000

Others, craven-hearted, said disparagingly, that “he threw his life away,” because he resisted the government. Which way have they thrown their lives, pray? — such as would praise a man for attacking singly an ordinary band of thieves or murderers.

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) American philosopher and writer
Speech (1859-10-30), “A Plea for Captain John Brown,” Concord, Massachusetts

Speaking of John Brown and his raid on Harpers Ferry. Collected in A Yankee in Canada (1866).

Achebe, Chinua -- A Man of the People, ch. 13 (1966)

Dave — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 00:32:38 +0000

In such a regime, I say, you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murderer in the chest — without asking to be paid.

Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, critic [Albert Chinualumogu Achebe]
A Man of the People, ch. 13 (1966)

Final words of the novel.

Carlyle, Thomas -- Essay (1832-05) “Boswell’s Life of Johnson,” Fraser’s Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 28

Dave — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:36:35 +0000

The Courage we desire and prize is not the Courage to die decently, but to live manfully.

Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish essayist and historian
Essay (1832-05) “Boswell’s Life of Johnson,” Fraser’s Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 28

Reviewing James Boswell The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.; including a Tour to the Hebrides (1831 ed.). Collected in Critical and Miscellaneous Essays (1827-1855).