WIST Quotations

Colette, Sidonie-Gabrielle -- My Mother’s House [La Maison de Claudine], “The Priest on the Wall [Le curé sur le mur]” (1922) [tr. Troubridge/McLeod (1949)]

Dave — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:16:01 +0000

It is not a bad thing that children should occasionally, and politely, put parents in their place.

[Il n’est pas mauvais que les enfants remettent de temps en temps, avec politesse, les parents à leur place.]

Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954) French writer
My Mother’s House [La Maison de Claudine], “The Priest on the Wall [Le curé sur le mur]” (1922) [tr. Troubridge/McLeod (1949)]
(Source)

(Source (French))

Goldsmith, Oliver -- “A City Night-Piece,” The Bee, #4 (27 Oct 1759)

Dave — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 17:56:22 +0000

Villainy, when detected, never gives up, but boldly adds impudence to imposture.

Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774) Irish poet, playwright, novelist
“A City Night-Piece,” The Bee, #4 (27 Oct 1759)
(Source)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 241 (1955)

Dave — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:40:33 +0000

Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 241 (1955)
(Source)