WIST Quotations

Bible, Vol. 1. Old Testament -- Book 22b. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 9:11 (Sir 9:11) [tr. NJB (1985)]

Dave — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:23:05 +0000

Do not envy the sinner his success;
you do not know how that will end.

[μὴ ζηλώσῃς δόξαν ἁμαρτωλοῦ·
οὐ γὰρ οἶδας τί ἔσται ἡ καταστροφὴ αὐτοῦ.]

The Bible (The Old Testament) (14th - 2nd C BC) Judeo-Christian sacred scripture [Tanakh, Hebrew Bible], incl. the Apocrypha (Deuterocanonicals)
Book 22b. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 9:11 (Sir 9:11) [tr. NJB (1985)]
(Source)

More on the history and acceptance of this Apocryphal book here and here.

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

Envy not the glory of a sinner: for thou knowest not what shall be his end.
[tr. KJV (1611)]

Envy not the glory and riches of a sinner: for thou knowest not what his ruin shall be.
[tr. DRA (1899), 9:16]

Do not envy the sinner his success;
you do not know what turn his career will take.
[tr. JB (1966)]

Don't be jealous of a sinner's success; you don't know what kind of disaster is in store for him.
[tr. GNT (1992 ed.)]

Don’t envy the good reputation
of sinners,
since you don’t know
how sudden their end will be.
[tr. CEB (2011)]

Do not envy the notoriety of sinners,
for you do not know what their end will be like.
[tr. NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Do not envy a sinner, for you do not know his day of reckoning.
[tr. RJPS (2023 ed.), 9:15]

Howell, James -- Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “English Proverbs” (1659) [compiler]

Dave — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:10:58 +0000

As I brew, so must I drink.

James Howell (c. 1594–1666) Welsh historian, writer, aphorist
Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “English Proverbs” (1659) [compiler]
(Source)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2524 (1727)

Dave — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 18:29:27 +0000

‘Tis in the Power of Providence to humble the Pride of the Mighty, even by the most despicable Means. Wherefore be thou never so great, or never so little, presume not on the one side, nor despair on the other.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2524 (1727)
(Source)

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 9 (1963)

Dave — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:53:54 +0000

Anything you do from the heart enriches you, but sometimes not till years later.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913–1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 9 (1963)
(Source)

Euripides -- Andromeda [Ἀνδρομέδα], frag. 130 (TGF) (412 BC) [tr. Wodhull (1809)]

Dave — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:42:51 +0000

I ne’er insulted the calamities
Of those who were unfortunate, because
I fear’d that I myself might also suffer.

[τάς όυμφοράξ γαρ των κακώς πεπραγότων
οὐπώποϑ ϋβρίδ’, αυτὀξ ὀρρωδῶν παϑεῖν.]

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Andromeda [Ἀνδρομέδα], frag. 130 (TGF) (412 BC) [tr. Wodhull (1809)]
(Source)

Nauck frag. 130, Barnes frag. 53, Musgrave frag. 21. (Source (Greek)). Another translation:

I never treated the troubles of the unfortunate insultingly,
through fear of suffering them myself.
[tr. Gibert (2004)]

Homer -- The Odyssey [Ὀδύσσεια], Book 1, l. 32ff (1.32) [Zeus] (c. 700 BC) [tr. Fitzgerald (1961)]

Dave — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:43:31 +0000

My word, how mortals take the gods to task!
All their afflictions come from us, we hear.
And what of their own failings? Greed and folly
double the suffering in the lot of man.

[ὢ πόποι, οἷον δή νυ θεοὺς βροτοὶ αἰτιόωνται.
ἐξ ἡμέων γάρ φασι κάκ’ ἔμμεναι· οἱ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
σφῇσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὑπὲρ μόρον ἄλγε’ ἔχουσιν.]

Homer (fl. 7th-8th C. BC) Greek author
The Odyssey [Ὀδύσσεια], Book 1, l. 32ff (1.32) [Zeus] (c. 700 BC) [tr. Fitzgerald (1961)]
(Source)

Original Greek. Other translations:

O how falsely men
Accuse us Gods as authors of their ill!
When, by the bane their own bad lives instill,
They suffer all the mis’ries of their states,
Past our inflictions, and beyond their fates.
[tr. Chapman (1616)]

Ha! how dare mortals tax the Gods, and say,
Their harms do all proceed from our decree,
And by our setting; when by their crimes they
Against our wills make their own destiny?
[tr. Hobbes (1675), l. 37ff]

Perverse mankind! whose wills, created free,
Charge all their woes on absolute degree;
All to the dooming gods their guilt translate,
And follies are miscall'd the crimes of fate.
[tr. Pope (1725)]

Alas! how prone are human-kind to blame
The Pow’rs of Heav’n! From us, they say, proceed
The ills which they endure, yet more than Fate
Herself inflicts, by their own crimes incur.
[tr. Cowper (1792), l. 41ff]

Mortals, ye Powers, upbraid us with their voice,
And brand us for the fount of all their ill,
Who, of their own acts, not of fate but choice,
Heap to themselves much toil and sorrow still.
[tr. Worsley (1861), st. 6]

Why! what reproach,
Ye gods! do mortals cast on deities!
To us all their calamities they trace,
While they, themselves, through their own senseless acts,
Feel pangs their destiny had ne'er decreed.
[tr. Musgrave (1869)]

Oh heavens! how mortals now to blame the gods!
From us they say spring ills! but they themselves
By their own folly bring unfated woes.
[tr. Bigge-Wither (1869)]

Lo you now, how vainly mortal men do blame the gods! For of us they say comes evil, whereas they even of themselves, through the blindness of their own hearts, have sorrows beyond that which is ordained.
[tr. Butcher/Lang (1879)]

Lo, how men blame the gods! From us, they say, spring troubles. But through their own perversity and more than is their due they meet with sorrow.
[tr. Palmer (1891)]

See now, how men lay blame upon us gods for what is after all nothing but their own folly.
[tr. Butler (1898)]

Oh my, how mortals hold us gods responsible! For they say that their misfortunes come from us. But they get their sufferings, beyond what is fated, by way of their own acts of recklessness.
[tr. Butler (1898), rev. Kim/McCray/Nagy/Power (2018)]

Look you now, how ready mortals are to blame the gods. It is from us, they say, that evils come, but they even of themselves, through their own blind folly, have sorrows beyond that which is ordained.
[tr. Murray (1919)]

It vexes me to see how mean are these creatures of a day towards us Gods, when they charge against us the evils (far beyond our worst dooming) which their own exceeding wantonness has heaped upon themselves.
[tr. Lawrence (1932)]

What a lamentable thing it is that men should blame the gods and regard us as the source of their troubles, when it is their own wickedness that brings them sufferings worse than any which Destiny allots them.
[tr. Rieu (1946)]

Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame upon us
gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather,
who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given.
[tr. Lattimore (1965)]

Men are so quick to blame the gods: they say
that we devise their misery. But they
themselves -- in their depravity -- design
grief greater than the griefs that fate assigns.
[tr. Mandelbaum (1990)]

Ah how shameless -- the way these mortals blame the gods.
From us alone, they say, come all their miseries, yes,
but they themselves, with their own reckless ways,
compound their pains beyond their proper share.
[tr. Fagles (1996)]

Mortals! They are always blaming the gods
For their troubles, when their own witlessness
Causes them more than they were destined for!
[tr. Lombardo (2000), l. 37ff]

Strange to behold, what blame these mortals can bring against godhead! For their ills, they assert, are from us, when they themselves by their mad recklessness have pain far past what is fated.
[tr. Merrill (2002)]

How surprising that men blame the gods, and say their troubles come from us, though they, through their own un-wisdom, find suffering beyond what is fated.
[tr. Kline (2004)]

What a lamentable thing it is that men should blame the gods and regard us as the source of their troubles, when it is their own transgressions which bring them suffering that was not their destiny.
[tr. DCH Rieu (2002)]

This is not good! See how mortals find fault with us gods!
They say it is from us that all evil things come, yet it is by their
own recklessness that they suffer hardship beyond their destiny.
[tr. Verity (2016)]

This is absurd,
that mortals blame the gods! They say we cause
their suffering, but they themselves increase it
by folly.
[tr. Wilson (2017)]

My oh my, the way mortals will fasten blame on the gods!
From us, they say, evils come, yet they themselves
through their own blind recklessness have ills beyond
their fated lot.
[tr. Green (2018)]

It’s disgraceful how humans blame the gods.
They say their tribulations come from us,
when they themselves, through their own foolishness,
bring hardships which are not decreed by Fate.
[tr. Johnston (2019), l. 41ff]

Pratchett, Terry -- Discworld No. 13, Small Gods (1992)

Dave — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 17:27:10 +0000

What have I always believed? That on the whole, and by and large, if a man lived properly, not according to what any priests said, but according to what seemed decent and honest inside, then it would, at the end, more or less, turn out all right.

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) English author
Discworld No. 13, Small Gods (1992)

Barrett, James Lee -- Shenandoah (1965)

Dave — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 14:35:47 +0000

CHARLIE ANDERSON: I’m not going to kill you. I want you to live. I want you to live to be an old man, and I want you to have many, many, many children, and I want you to feel about your children then the way I feel about mine now. And someday, when a man comes along and kills one of ’em, I want you to remember! Okay? I want you to remember.

James Lee Barrett (1929–1989) American author, producer, screenwriter
Shenandoah (1965)

McFee, William -- Casuals of the Sea, Book 2, ch 6 (1916)

Dave — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 15:09:16 +0000

People don’t ever seem to realize that doing what’s right’s no guarantee against misfortune.

William McFee (1881–1966) English writer
Casuals of the Sea, Book 2, ch 6 (1916)
(Source)

Sometimes paraphrased "Doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune."

Spenser, Edmund -- The Faerie Queene, Book 6, canto 1, st. 41 (1590-96)

Dave — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 19:53:30 +0000

For nothing is more blamefull to a Knight,
That court’sie doth as well as armes professe,
However strong and fortunate in fight,
Then the reproch of pride and cruelnesse:
In vain he seeketh others to suppresse,
Who hath not learned himself first to subdue:
All flesh is frayle and full of ficklenesse,
Subject to fortunes chance, still chaunging new;
What haps to-day to me to-morrow may to you.

Edmund Spenser (c. 1552–1599) English poet
The Faerie Queene, Book 6, canto 1, st. 41 (1590-96)
(Source)

Spenser, Edmund -- The Faerie Queene, Book 6, Canto 1, st. 42 (1589-96)

Dave — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 17:43:05 +0000

Who will not mercie unto others shew,
How can he mercy ever hope to have?

Edmund Spenser (c. 1552–1599) English poet
The Faerie Queene, Book 6, Canto 1, st. 42 (1589-96)
(Source)

See James 2:13.

Ariosto, Ludovico -- Orlando Furioso, Canto 37, st. 106, l. 6 (1532) [tr. Rose (1831)]

Dave — Mon, 04 May 2020 16:59:07 +0000

Ill doers in the end shall ill receive.

[Chi mal opra, male al fine aspetta.]

Ludovico Ariosto (1474–1533) Italian poet
Orlando Furioso, Canto 37, st. 106, l. 6 (1532) [tr. Rose (1831)]
(Source)

Volkart, Edmund H. -- The Angel’s Dictionary: A Modern Tribute to Ambrose Bierce (1986)

Dave — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:16:25 +0000

RESPECTABILITY, n. The social status of people whose sins haven’t quite caught up with them.

Edmund H. Volkart (1919–1992) American sociologist, researcher, editor
The Angel’s Dictionary: A Modern Tribute to Ambrose Bierce (1986)

Pratchett, Terry -- Discworld No. 16, Soul Music (1994)

Dave — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:04:23 +0000

Satchelmouth was by no means averse to the finger-foxtrot and the skull fandango, but he’d never murdered anyone, at least on purpose. Satchelmouth had been made aware that he had a soul and, though it had a few holes in it and was a little ragged around the edges, he cherished the hope that some day the god Reg would find him a place in a celestial combo. You didn’t get the best gigs if you were a murderer. You probably had to play the viola.

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) English author
Discworld No. 16, Soul Music (1994)

Wilde, Oscar -- The Importance of Being Earnest, act 2 (Miss Prism) [1895]

Dave — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 02:26:16 +0000

The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means.

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
The Importance of Being Earnest, act 2 (Miss Prism) [1895]
(Source)

Heinlein, Robert A. -- Farnham’s Freehold, ch. 21 (1964)

Dave — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 17:52:59 +0000

“The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on” — and only then do you find out if it goosed you in passing.

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) American writer
Farnham’s Freehold, ch. 21 (1964)
(Source)

See Omar Khayyám.

Stross, Charles -- The Rhesus Chart (2014)

Dave — Wed, 24 May 2017 00:03:32 +0000

KARMA’S A BITCH. No, let me rephrase that: Karma is your vengeful bunny-boiler ex, lurking in your darkened front hallway wearing an ice-hockey mask and carrying a baseball bat inscribed with BET YOU DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING.

Charles "Charlie" Stross (b. 1964) British writer
The Rhesus Chart (2014)

Kushner, Harold S. -- When Bad Things Happen to Good People, ch. 1 (1981)

Dave — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 01:20:27 +0000

There is only one question which really matters: why do bad things happen to good people?

Harold S. Kushner (b. 1935) American author, rabbi
When Bad Things Happen to Good People, ch. 1 (1981)

Bronte, Emily -- Wuthering Heights, ch. 17 [Isabella Linton] (1847)

Dave — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 02:41:24 +0000

Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends — they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.

Emily Brontë (1818–1848) British novelist, poet [pseud. Ellis Bell]
Wuthering Heights, ch. 17 [Isabella Linton] (1847)
(Source)

Adams, John -- Letter (1776-08-18) to Abigail Adams

Dave — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:47:08 +0000

We cannot insure Success, but We can deserve it.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Letter (1776-08-18) to Abigail Adams
(Source)

Perhaps after Addison (1713).

Dickens, Charles -- A Christmas Carol (1843)

Dave — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:49:27 +0000

“You are fettered,” said Scrooge, trembling. “Tell me why?”

“I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.”

Charles Dickens (1812–1870) English writer and social critic
A Christmas Carol (1843)

Sometimes oddly paraphrased, "We forge the chains we wear in life."

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], #1058 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Tue, 31 May 2016 14:05:01 +0000

When we speak evil of others, we generally condemn ourselves.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], #1058 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 9. Letter to the Galatians 6: 7 (Gal 6:7) [KJV (1611)]

Dave — Wed, 25 May 2016 16:57:34 +0000

For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

[ὃ γὰρ ἐὰν σπείρῃ ἄνθρωπος τοῦτο καὶ θερίσει.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 9. Letter to the Galatians 6: 7 (Gal 6:7) [KJV (1611)]
(Source)

(Source (Greek)). Other translations:

Where a man sows, there he reaps.
[JB (1966)]

You will reap exactly what you plant.
[GNT (1976)]

Whatever someone sows, that is what he will reap.
[NJB (1985)]

A person will harvest what they plant.
[CEB (2011)]

For you reap whatever you sow.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Shakespeare, William -- All’s Well That Ends Well, Act 4, sc. 3, l. 356ff (4.3.356-358) (1602?)

Dave — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 15:54:08 +0000

PAROLLES: Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this; for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
All’s Well That Ends Well, Act 4, sc. 3, l. 356ff (4.3.356-358) (1602?)
(Source)

De Stael, Germaine -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 21:24:13 +0000

Sow good services: sweet remembrances will grow from them.

Germaine de Staël (1766–1817) Swiss-French writer, woman of letters, critic, salonist [Anne Louise Germaine de Staël-Holstein, Madame de Staël, Madame Necker]
(Attributed)

In J. D. Finod (trans.), A Thousand Flashes of French Wit, Wisdom, and Wickedness (1880).

Muhammad -- Qur’an, 35.45 (AD 670?) [tr. Pickthall (1953)]

Dave — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 20:06:00 +0000

If Allah took mankind to task by that which they deserve, He would not leave a living creature on the surface of the earth.

Muhammad (AD c. 570–632) Arab religious, military, and political leader; founder of Islam [Mohammed, مُحَمَّد]
Qur’an, 35.45 (AD 670?) [tr. Pickthall (1953)]

Euripides -- Hecuba [Hekabe; Ἑκάβη], l. 900ff (c. 424 BC) [tr. Sheppard (1924)]

Dave — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:10:55 +0000

AGAMEMNON:For it touches all,
Cities and men alike, that deeds of ill
Find evil ends, and virtue prosper still.

[ἈΓΑΜΈΜΝΩΝ:πᾶσι γὰρ κοινὸν τόδε,
ἰδίᾳ θ᾽ ἑκάστῳ καὶ πόλει, τὸν μὲν κακὸν
κακόν τι πάσχειν, τὸν δὲ χρηστὸν εὐτυχεῖν.]

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Hecuba [Hekabe; Ἑκάβη], l. 900ff (c. 424 BC) [tr. Sheppard (1924)]
(Source)

(Source (Greek)). Other translations:

For 'tis the common interest of mankind.
Of every individual, every state.
That he who hath transgress'd should suffer ill.
And Fortune crown the efforts of the virtuous.
[tr. Wodhull (1809)]

For this is a general principle among all, both individuals in private and states,
That the wicked man should feel vengeance, but the good man enjoy prosperity.
[tr. Edwards (1826)]

For the general good
Of individuals and of states requires
That vengeance overtake th’ unrighteous deed,
And virtue triumph in her just reward.
[ed. Ramage (1864)]

For all men's weal is this, --
Each several man's, and for the state, -- that ill
Betide the bad, prosperity the good.
[tr. Way (Loeb) (1894)]

For this is the interest alike of citizen and state, that the wrong-doer be punished and the good man prosper.
[tr. Coleridge (1938)]

The common interests
of states and individuals alike demand
that good and evil receive their just rewards.
[tr. Arrowsmith (1958)]

Every man -- every slave -- shares one wish. May we each get what we deserve.
[tr. McGuinness (2004)]

I think the wish is common among men, as individuals and citizens, that bad men should suffer and good men thrive.
[tr. Harrison (2005)]

It is everyone’s conviction, individually and collectively as a city, that the evil man suffers and the good man rejoices.
[tr. Theodoridis (2007)]

It’s in the interests of both
states and individuals that evil suffers evil
and good fares well.
[tr. Karden/Street (2011)]

Peoples, David -- Unforgiven (1992)

Dave — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 15:23:47 +0000

MUNNY: It’s a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he’s got, and all he’s ever gonna have.

SCHOFIELD KID: Yeah. Well, I guess they had it coming.

MUNNY: We all have it coming, kid.

!–more–>

(Source (Video); dialog verified)

Will Munny was played by Clint Eastwood. The script was originally written in 1976.

David Peoples (b. 1940) American screenwriter
Unforgiven (1992)
(Source)

(Source (Video); dialog verified)

Will Munny was played by Clint Eastwood. The script was originally written in 1976.

Shakespeare, William -- Hamlet, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 555ff (2.2.555) (c. 1600)

Dave — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:32:38 +0000

HAMLET: Use every man after his desert, and who should ‘scape whipping?

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Hamlet, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 555ff (2.2.555) (c. 1600)
(Source)

Richardson, James -- Vectors: Aphorisms and Ten-Second Essays, # 2 (2001)

Dave — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:00:53 +0000

Those who demand consideration for their sacrifices were making investments, not sacrifices.

James Richardson (b. 1950) American poet
Vectors: Aphorisms and Ten-Second Essays, # 2 (2001)

Corneille, Pierre -- Horace, Act 2, sc. 8 (1640)

Dave — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:47:57 +0000

Do your duty, and leave the outcome to the Gods.

Pierre Corneille (1606–1684) French tragedian
Horace, Act 2, sc. 8 (1640)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard’s Almanack (May 1755)

Dave — Fri, 08 May 2015 13:39:16 +0000

The honest Man takes Pains, and then enjoys Pleasures;
the Knave takes Pleasure, and then suffers Pains.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard’s Almanack (May 1755)

Mizner, Wilson -- In Alva Johnston, The Legendary Mizners, ch. 4 (1953)

Dave — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:32:49 +0000

Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.

Wilson Mizner (1876–1933) American screenwriter and wit
In Alva Johnston, The Legendary Mizners, ch. 4 (1953)

Also quoted in Evan Esar, The Dictionary of Humorous Quotations (1949). Often attributed to Walter Winchell, who frequently quoted Mizner.

Markham, Edwin -- “A Creed To Mr. David Lubin”, st. 1, Lincoln & Other Poems (1901)

Dave — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:32:20 +0000

There is a destiny that makes us brothers:
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back onto our own.

Edwin Markham (1852–1940) American poet
“A Creed To Mr. David Lubin”, st. 1, Lincoln & Other Poems (1901)

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Column (1943-08-13), “My Day”

Dave — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 16:27:02 +0000

I know that we will be the sufferers if we let great wrongs occur without exerting ourselves to correct them.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) First Lady of the US (1933–1945), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1943-08-13), “My Day”
(Source)

On the persecution of Jews in Europe.

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 2795 (1732)

Dave — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 13:26:27 +0000

If you leap into a Well, Providence is not bound to fetch you out.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 2795 (1732)
(Source)

Machiavelli, Niccolo -- The Discourses on Livy, Book 3, ch. 6 (1517) [tr. Detmold (1882)]

Dave — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:18:40 +0000

Bad rulers … are in constant fear lest others are conspiring to inflict upon them the punishment which they are conscious of deserving.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Discourses on Livy, Book 3, ch. 6 (1517) [tr. Detmold (1882)]

Seneca the Younger -- Moral Essays, “On Anger [De ira]“

Dave — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:11:47 +0000

There are none more abusive to others than they that lie most open to it themselves; but the humor goes round, and he that laughs at me today will have somebody to laugh at him tomorrow.

Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC-AD 65) Roman statesman, philosopher, playwright [Lucius Annaeus Seneca]
Moral Essays, “On Anger [De ira]“

Twain, Mark -- Quoted in Merle Johnson, ed., More Maxims of Mark (1927)

Dave — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:01:35 +0000

The trouble ain’t that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain’t distributed right.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Quoted in Merle Johnson, ed., More Maxims of Mark (1927)
(Source)

Not found in a primary source. Johnson was a rare book collector who published the first thorough bibilography of Twain's works in 1910. His 1927 work is a 15-page pamphlet, generally considered authentic by scholars, but it provides no other context for the saying.

For more information on the history of this quotation, see Quote Origin: The Trouble Ain’t That There Is Too Many Fools, But That the Lightning Ain’t Distributed Right – Quote Investigator®.

Variant: "The trouble isn’t that there are too many fools, but that the lightning isn’t distributed right."

Shakespeare, William -- Henry VI, Part 2, Act 3, sc. 3, l. 30ff (3.3.30-31) (1591)

Dave — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:07:15 +0000

WARWICK: So bad a death argues a monstrous life.
HENRY: Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Henry VI, Part 2, Act 3, sc. 3, l. 30ff (3.3.30-31) (1591)
(Source)

Lincoln, Abraham -- Letter (1859-04-06) to Henry L. Pierce, et al.

Dave — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:28:51 +0000

This is a world of compensation; and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God, cannot long retain it.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
Letter (1859-04-06) to Henry L. Pierce, et al.
(Source)

The letter is quoted in Charles Sumner's Eulogy to Lincoln, printed in the City of Boston''s A Memorial of Abraham Lincoln, Late President of the United States (1865).

The letter was in response to an invitation from Boston for the celebration of Thomas Jefferson's birthday. Lincoln praised Jefferson, and warned against those who would "overthrow" the principles of freedom Jefferson wrote of so eloquently. Lincoln apparently saw no irony in this passage, even given Jefferson being a slave-holder.

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 3. Gospel of Luke 6:37ff (Luke 6:37–38) (Jesus) [NJB (1985)]

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

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap; because the standard you use will be the standard used for you.

[Καὶ μὴ κρίνετε, καὶ οὐ μὴ κριθῆτε· καὶ μὴ καταδικάζετε, καὶ οὐ μὴ καταδικασθῆτε. ἀπολύετε, καὶ ἀπολυθήσεσθε· δίδοτε, καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν· μέτρον καλὸν πεπιεσμένον σεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυννόμενον δώσουσιν εἰς τὸν κόλπον ὑμῶν· ᾧ γὰρ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 3. Gospel of Luke 6:37ff (Luke 6:37–38) (Jesus) [NJB (1985)]
(Source)

This passage is paralleled (reduced) in Matthew 7:1-2 and Mark 4:24.

(Source (Greek)). Other translations:

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
[KJV (1611)]

Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.
[JB (1966)]

Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you. Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands -- all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.
[GNT (1976)]

Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion -- packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing -- will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.
[CEB (2011)]

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
[NIV (2011 ed.)]

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Straczynski, J. Michael "Joe" -- Babylon 5, 2×03 “The Geometry of Shadows” (16 Nov 1994)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

SHERIDAN: The universe doesn’t give you any points for doing things that are easy.

J. Michael (Joe) Straczynski (b. 1954) American screenwriter, producer, author [a/k/a "JMS"]
Babylon 5, 2×03 “The Geometry of Shadows” (16 Nov 1994)

Talmud -- The Mishnah (c. AD 200)

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

Rabbi Jannai said: “It is beyond our power to explain either the prosperity of the wicked or the afflictions of the righteous.”

The Talmud (AD 200–500) Collection of Jewish rabbinical writings
The Mishnah (c. AD 200)

Straczynski, J. Michael "Joe" -- Babylon 5, 2×16 “In the Shadow of Z’ha’dum” (10 May 1995)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

VIR: I’d like to live just long enough to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a pike as a warning to the next ten generations that some favors come with too high a price. I want to look up into your lifeless eyes and wave, like this. Can you and your associates arrange that for me, Mr. Morden?

J. Michael (Joe) Straczynski (b. 1954) American screenwriter, producer, author [a/k/a "JMS"]
Babylon 5, 2×16 “In the Shadow of Z’ha’dum” (10 May 1995)

Straczynski, J. Michael "Joe" -- Babylon 5, 3×13 “A Late Delivery from Avalon” (22 Apr 1996)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

MARCUS: You know, I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair; then I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happened to us come because we actually deserved them?’ So now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe.

J. Michael (Joe) Straczynski (b. 1954) American screenwriter, producer, author [a/k/a "JMS"]
Babylon 5, 3×13 “A Late Delivery from Avalon” (22 Apr 1996)

Twain, Mark -- Letter to the Editor of the New York World (23 Dec 1890)

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

It is my heart-warm and world-embracing Christmas hope and aspiration that all of us — the high, the low, the rich, the poor, the admired, the despised, the loved, the hated, the civilized, the savage — may eventually be gathered together in a heaven of everlasting rest and peace and bliss — except the inventor of the telephone.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Letter to the Editor of the New York World (23 Dec 1890)
(Source)

Ingersoll, Robert Green -- Essay (1881-11) “The Christian Religion,” “Part 2” North American Review, Vol. 133, No. 300

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

Happiness is not a reward — it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment — it is a result.

Robert Green Ingersoll (1833–1899) American lawyer, freethinker, orator
Essay (1881-11) “The Christian Religion,” “Part 2” North American Review, Vol. 133, No. 300
(Source)

See Lippmann (1929). Collected in Allen Thorndike Rice (ed.), The Christian Religion, ch. 3 (1882).