WIST Quotations

Kerr, Jean -- Play (1961), Mary, Mary, Act 3

Dave — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 19:16:03 +0000

MARY: Some people have such a talent for making the best of a bad situation that they go around creating bad situations so they can make the best of them.

Jean Kerr (1922–2003) American author and playwright [b. Bridget Jean Collins]
Play (1961), Mary, Mary, Act 3

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Philippics [Philippicae; Antonian Orations], No. 2, ch. 12 / sec. 29 (2.12/2.29) (44-10-24 BC) [tr. Berry (2006)]

Dave — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:08:46 +0000

For what difference is there between someone who urges an action before it is done and someone who applauds it afterwards? What does it matter whether I wanted it done or was pleased that it had been done?

[Quid enim interest inter suasorem facti et probatorem? Aut quid refert utrum voluerim fieri an gaudeam factum?]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Philippics [Philippicae; Antonian Orations], No. 2, ch. 12 / sec. 29 (2.12/2.29) (44-10-24 BC) [tr. Berry (2006)]

On his approval, after the fact, of Julius Caesar's assassination, though not being one of the conspirators.

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

For what moral difference is there between urging an action and approving of it? or what matter does it make whether I wished for the deed or rejoice that it was done?
[tr. King (1877)]

For what difference is there between the adviser and the approver of a deed? or what does it matter whether I wished it done, or was glad that it was done?
[tr. Ker (Loeb) (1926)]

For what is the difference between a man who has advised an action, and one who has approved of it? or what does it signify whether I wished it to be done, or rejoice that it has been done?
[tr. Yonge (1903)]

What difference is there between him who instigates and him who approves the crime?
[ed. Harbottle (1906)]

For between the man who advises an action and the man who approves when it is done there is not the slightest difference. Whether I wished the deed to be performed or am glad after its performance, is wholly immaterial.
[tr. Grant (1960)]

For what is the difference between someone who suggests something and someone who applauds it? What does it matter whether I wanted it done or am delighted that it was done?
[tr. McElduff (2011)]

Machiavelli, Niccolo -- Florentine Histories, Book 3, ch. 2 (1521-5)

Dave — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 20:33:24 +0000

Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
Florentine Histories, Book 3, ch. 2 (1521-5)

As commonly given, specific translation unknown. Other translations:

"It is in the power of any man to begin a war, but he cannot end it when he pleases." [tr. Lester (1843)]
"People may go to war when they will, but cannot always withdraw when they like." [Bohn's Standard Library (1891)]
"Wars begin at the will of anyone, but they do not end at anyone's will." [tr. Banield and Mansfield (1988), Book 3, ch. 7]