WIST Quotations

Martin, Judith -- Interview (1995-03-06) by Virginia Shea, “Miss Mannners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Internet Behavior,” Computerworld, Vol. 29, No. 10

Dave — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:31:26 +0000

I always presume, because it helps me get up in the morning, that most people are people of goodwill and would like to restrain themselves from offending people if they knew what was offensive.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
Interview (1995-03-06) by Virginia Shea, “Miss Mannners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Internet Behavior,” Computerworld, Vol. 29, No. 10

Byron, George Gordon, Lord -- “To Thomas Moore,” st. 2. (1817)

Dave — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 14:32:17 +0000

Here’s a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate;
And, whatever sky’s above me,
Here’s a heart for every fate.

George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788–1824) English poet
“To Thomas Moore,” st. 2. (1817)

First published in The Traveller (1821-01-08).

Antrim, Minna -- Naked Truth and Veiled Allusions (1901)

Dave — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:10:04 +0000

To laughter! The bright coinage of the bank of good will.

Minna Antrim (1861–1950) American epigrammatist, writer
Naked Truth and Veiled Allusions (1901)

Dickens, Charles -- A Christmas Carol [Fred] (1843)

Dave — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 18:47:46 +0000

I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round — apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that — as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

Charles Dickens (1812–1870) English writer and social critic
A Christmas Carol [Fred] (1843)

Howells, William Dean -- Interview with Orison Swett Marden, Success Magazine

Dave — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 13:22:49 +0000

I know, indeed, of nothing more subtly satisfying and cheering than a knowledge of the real good will and appreciation of others. Such happiness does not come with money, nor does it flow from a fine physical state. It cannot be brought. But it is the keenest joy, after all, and the toiler’s truest and best reward.

William Dean Howells (1837–1920) American author, literary critic, and playwright
Interview with Orison Swett Marden, Success Magazine

Quoted in Marden, How They Succeeded: Life Stories of Successful Men Told by Themselves, ch. 11 (1901).

Addison, Joseph -- Essay (1713-09-21), The Guardian, No. 166

Dave — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:26:02 +0000

Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands, says an old writer. Gifts and alms are the expressions, not the essence of this virtue. A man may bestow great sums on the poor and indigent without being charitable, and may be charitable when he is not able to bestow anything. Charity is therefore a habit of good will, or benevolence in the soul, which disposes us to the love, assistance, and relief of mankind, especially of those who stand in need of it.

Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1713-09-21), The Guardian, No. 166