WIST Quotations

Billings, Josh -- Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1975-02 “Heliotropes” (1875 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:33:16 +0000

Intelekt without judgement iz what ails about one halff the smart people in this world.

[Intellect without judgment is what ails about one half the smart people in this world.]

Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1975-02 “Heliotropes” (1875 ed.)
(Source)

Lincoln, Abraham -- Speech (1848-06-20), “Internal Improvements,” US House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

Dave — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:35:22 +0000

The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it have any evil in it; but whether it have more of evil, than of good. There are few things wholly evil, or wholly good. Almost every thing, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861-65)
Speech (1848-06-20), “Internal Improvements,” US House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
(Source)

Speaking on internal improvements (infrastructure) as part of governmental policy. Taken from the copy of the speech Lincoln submitted to the Congressional Globe Appendix and the Illinois Journal (1848-07-20).

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 141 (1955)

Dave — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:19:30 +0000

Good judgment in our dealings with others consists not in seeing through deceptions and evil intentions but in being able to waken the decency dormant in every person.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 141 (1955)
(Source)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1746 ed.)

Dave — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:34:01 +0000

Good Sense is a Thing all need, few have, and none think they want.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1746 ed.)
(Source)