WIST Quotations

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 5 “Des Passions et des Affections de l’Âme [On the Soul], ¶ 29 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866)]

Dave — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 21:57:08 +0000

It is always our inabilities that irritate us.

[Ce sont toujours nos impuissances qui nous irritent.]

Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 5 “Des Passions et des Affections de l’Âme [On the Soul], ¶ 29 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866)]

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

Our worries always come from our weaknesses.
[tr. Attwell (1896), ¶ 65]

It is always our incapacities that irritate us.
[tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 4, ¶ 19]

It is always our inabilities that vex us.
[tr. Collins (1928), ch. 5]

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 8 (1963)

Dave — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 17:21:16 +0000

Many are saved from sin by being so inept at it.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913–1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 8 (1963)

Ivins, Molly -- Essay (1997-06-10), Creators Syndicate column

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

Yes, the bad-lawyer felony is the leading cause of the death penalty in Texas. The single most dangerous thing you can be in Texas is poor.

Molly Ivins (1944–2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Essay (1997-06-10), Creators Syndicate column