WIST Quotations

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1747 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:10:22 +0000

See Wealth and Pow’r! Say, what can be more great?
Nothing — but Merit in a low Estate.
To Virtue’s humblest Son let none prefer
Vice, tho’ a Croesus or a Conqueror.
Shall Men, like Figures, pass for high, or base,
Slight, or important, only by their Place?
Titles are Marks of honest Men, and Wise;
The Fool, or Knave that wears a Title, lies.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1747 ed.)

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1814-09-26) to Miles King

Dave — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 14:26:04 +0000

Nay, we have heard it said that there is not a quaker or a baptist, a presbyterian or an episcopalian, a catholic or a protestant in heaven: that, on entering that gate, we leave those badges of schism behind, and find ourselves united in those principles only in which god has united us all. Let us not be uneasy then about the different roads we may pursue, as believing them the shortest, to that our last abode: but, following the guidance of a good conscience, let us be happy in the hope that, by these different paths, we shall all meet in the end. and that you and I may there meet and embrace is my earnest prayer: and with this assurance I salute you with brotherly esteem and respect.

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801–09)
Letter (1814-09-26) to Miles King

Where he had "heard it said" might be an 1813 letter from John Adams.

Shakespeare, William -- Hamlet, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 268ff (2.2.268) (c. 1600)

Dave — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 14:31:20 +0000

HAMLET: For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Hamlet, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 268ff (2.2.268) (c. 1600)

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Column (1943-09-23), “My Day”

Dave — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 11:51:51 +0000

The important thing is neither your nationality nor the religion you professed, but how your faith translated itself in your life.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American politician, diplomat, activist; First Lady of the US (1933–45)
Column (1943-09-23), “My Day”

On the war dead in the military cemetery on Guadalcanal, and the messages left by their comrades-in-arms.

Moffat, Steven -- Sherlock, 01×01 “A Study in Pink” (2010-07-25)

Dave — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:07:56 +0000

HOLMES: I’m not a psychopath, Anderson, I’m a high-functioning sociopath. Do your research.

Steven Moffat (b. 1961) Scottish television writer, producer
Sherlock, 01×01 “A Study in Pink” (2010-07-25)

(Source (Video))

Roosevelt, Theodore -- Speech (1903-09-07), “The Square Deal,” Labor Day, New York State Agricultural Association, New York State Fair, Syracuse

Dave — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:35:45 +0000

We must act upon the motto of all for each and each for all. There must be ever present in our minds the fundamental truth that in a republic such as ours the only safety is to stand neither for nor against any man because he is rich or because he is poor, because he is engaged in one occupation or another, because he works with his brains or because he works with his hands. We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer; US President (1901–09)
Speech (1903-09-07), “The Square Deal,” Labor Day, New York State Agricultural Association, New York State Fair, Syracuse