WIST Quotations

Carlyle, Thomas -- Sartor Resartus, Book 2, ch. 8 (1834)

Dave — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:42:50 +0000

Such I hold to be the genuine use of Gunpowder: that it makes all men tall.

Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish essayist and historian
Sartor Resartus, Book 2, ch. 8 (1834)
(Source)

Quoting Herr Teufelsdröckh.

This passage first appeared in Fraser's Magazine for Town and Country, Vol. 9, No. 52 (1834-04).

Rogers, Will -- Column (1929-07-15), “Daily Telegram”

Dave — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 17:27:14 +0000

When the judgment day comes, civilization will have an alibi: “I never took a human life, I only sold the fellow the gun to take it with.”

Will Rogers (1879–1935) American humorist
Column (1929-07-15), “Daily Telegram”
(Source)

Browne, Thomas -- Religio Medici, Part 1, sec. 43 (1643)

Dave — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 13:28:22 +0000

We vainly accuse the fury of Gunnes, and the new inventions of death; ’tis in the power of every hand to destroy us, and wee are beholding unto every one wee meete hee doth not kill us.

[We vainly accuse the fury of guns, and the new inventions of death; it is in the power of every hand to destroy us, and we are beholden unto every one we meet he doth not kill us.]

Thomas Browne (1605–1682) English physician and author
Religio Medici, Part 1, sec. 43 (1643)
(Source)

Gibson, William -- Twitter (1 Oct 2013)

Dave — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 20:52:17 +0000

People who feel safer with a gun than with guaranteed medical insurance don’t yet have a fully adult concept of scary.

William Gibson (b. 1948) American-Canadian speculative fiction novelist and essayist
Twitter (1 Oct 2013)
(Source)

Crabbe, George -- Tales of the Hall, “The Maid’s Story” (1819)

Dave — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 15:45:34 +0000

Secrets with girls, like loaded guns with boys,
Are never valued till they make a noise.

George Crabbe (1754–1832) English poet, writer, surgeon, clergyman
Tales of the Hall, “The Maid’s Story” (1819)
(Source)

Adams, John -- A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, Vol. 3, ch. 3 “Marchamond Nedham: Errors of Government and Rules of Policy” (1787)

Dave — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 23:56:37 +0000

It must be made a sacred maxim, that the militia obey the executive power, which represents the whole people in the execution of laws. To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at the individual discretion, except in private self-defence, or by partial orders of towns, counties, or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, Vol. 3, ch. 3 “Marchamond Nedham: Errors of Government and Rules of Policy” (1787)
(Source)

Maher, Bill -- Be More Cynical (2000)

Dave — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 13:47:39 +0000

There are many attempts to pass a law in states just requesting a limit of buying one gun a month, and it doesn’t pass. People are like, “What about Christmas?” I mean, one gun a month. If you started when you were 18, by the time you were 60 that’s over a thousand guns. I don’t care how small your penis is, that should be enough guns.

William "Bill" Maher (b. 1956) American comedian, political commentator, critic, television host.
Be More Cynical (2000)

Heinlein, Robert A. -- Friday [Friday Jones] (1982)

Dave — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:23:58 +0000

Why do men with little souls have to have big weapons?

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) American writer
Friday [Friday Jones] (1982)

Ivins, Molly -- Essay (1993-03-09), “Get a Knife, Get a Dog, but Get Rid of Guns,” Creators Syndicate column, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dave — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:15:07 +0000

I am not anti-gun. I’m pro-knife. Consider the merits of the knife.
In the first place, you have to catch up with someone in order to stab him. A general substitution of knives for guns would promote physical fitness. We’d turn into a whole nation of great runners. Plus, knives don’t ricochet. And people are seldom killed while cleaning their knives.

Molly Ivins (1944–2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Essay (1993-03-09), “Get a Knife, Get a Dog, but Get Rid of Guns,” Creators Syndicate column, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
(Source)

Collected in Nothin' but Good Times Ahead (1993).