WIST Quotations

Stevenson, Robert Louis -- Novel (1886), Kidnapped, ch. 24 “The Flight in the Heather: The Quarrel”

Dave — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:52:26 +0000

I would have given the world to take back what I had said; but a word once spoken, who can recapture it?

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Novel (1886), Kidnapped, ch. 24 “The Flight in the Heather: The Quarrel”

This chapter was originally published in Young Folks Paper, Vol. 29, No. 815 (1886-07-10).

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Foolhardy,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1884-12-13)

Dave — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:29:36 +0000

FOOLHARDY, adj. Unlucky in the execution of a courageous act.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Foolhardy,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1884-12-13)

Not collected in later books. See also "RASH."

Kazantzakis, Nikos -- Zorba the Greek (1946)

Dave — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 19:40:13 +0000

A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free.

Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) Greek writer and philosopher
Zorba the Greek (1946)

Adapted in the 1964 screenplay by Mihalis Kakogiannis as:

ZORBA: Boss, I like you too much not to say it. You've got everything except one thing: madness! A man needs a little madness, or else.
BASIL: Or else?
ZORBA: Or else, he never dares cut the rope and be free.

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Rash,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 18:00:00 +0000

RASH, adj. Insensible to the value of our advice.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Rash,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

Originally published in the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner.

See also "FOOLHARDY."