WIST Quotations

Twain, Mark -- The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson, ch. 6, Epigraph “Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar” (1894)

Dave — Thu, 25 May 2017 22:57:06 +0000

Habit is habit, and not to be flung out the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson, ch. 6, Epigraph “Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar” (1894)
(Source)

Sertorius -- In Plutarch, Parallel Lives, “Sertorius,” sec. 16 [Dryden ed. (1693)]

Dave — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 15:03:52 +0000

You see, fellow-soldiers, that perseverance is more prevailing than violence, and that many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little.

Quintus Sertorius (c. 123-72 BC) Roman statesman and general
In Plutarch, Parallel Lives, “Sertorius,” sec. 16 [Dryden ed. (1693)]
(Source)

Alt. trans.: "You see, fellow-soldiers, that perseverance is worth more than energy, and that many things that cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little."

Aesop -- Fables [Aesopica], “The Crow and the Pitcher” (6th C BC) [tr. Jacobs (1894)]

Dave — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:25:24 +0000

Little by little does the trick.

Aesop (620?-560? BC) Legendary Greek storyteller
Fables [Aesopica], “The Crow and the Pitcher” (6th C BC) [tr. Jacobs (1894)]
(Source)

Alternate translation: "Skill and Patience will succeed where Force fails" [tr. James (1848)]

Dirksen, Everett -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money.

Everett Dirksen (1896-1969) American politician
(Attributed)

Frequently attributed to Dirksen, but not found in his writings or speeches. An anonymous reference is made in "Topics of the Times," New York Times (10 Jan 1938): "Well, now, about this new budget. It's a billion here and a billion there, and by and by it begins to mount up into money."