WIST Quotations

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Authentic,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-04-09)

Dave — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:43:14 +0000

AUTHENTIC, adj. Indubitably true — in someone’s opinion.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Authentic,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-04-09)
(Source)

Not collected in later books.

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 14 “Des Gouvernements [On Governments],” ¶ 16 (1850 ed.) [tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 13, ¶ 7]

Dave — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:08:16 +0000

Just as a savage will sacrifice his whole subsistence to his hunger, the despot sacrifices his authority to his love of power; his reign devours the reign of his successors.

[Comme le sauvage sacrifie sa subsistance à sa faim, le despote sacrifie sa puissance à son pouvoir; son règne dévore le règne de ses successeurs.]

Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 14 “Des Gouvernements [On Governments],” ¶ 16 (1850 ed.) [tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 13, ¶ 7]
(Source)

(Source (French)). No other translations of the thought found amongst those consulted.

Gladwell, Malcolm -- David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants (2013)

Dave — Mon, 15 May 2023 14:07:37 +0000

Legitimacy is based on three things. First of all, the people who are asked to obey authority have to feel like they have a voice — that if they speak up, they will be heard. Second, the law has to be predictable. There has to be a reasonable expectation that the rules tomorrow are going to be roughly the same as the rules today. And third, the authority has to be fair. It can’t treat one group differently from another.

Malcolm Gladwell (b. 1963) Anglo-Canadian journalist, author, public speaker
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants (2013)
(Source)

Obama, Barack -- Speech, Nordea Concert Hall, Tallinn, Estonia (3 Sep 2014)

Dave — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 22:37:48 +0000

We’re stronger because we’re democracies. We’re not afraid of free and fair elections, because true legitimacy can only come from one source — and that is the people. We’re not afraid of an independent judiciary, because no one is above the law. We’re not afraid of a free press or vibrant debate or a strong civil society, because leaders must be held accountable. We’re not afraid to let our young people go online to learn and discover and organize , because we know that countries are more successful when citizens are free to think for themselves.

Barack Obama (b. 1961) American politician, US President (2009–2017)
Speech, Nordea Concert Hall, Tallinn, Estonia (3 Sep 2014)
(Source)

Obama, Barack -- Speech, Nordea Concert Hall, Tallinn, Estonia (3 Sep 2014)

Dave — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 18:16:21 +0000

Democracy will win — because a government’s legitimacy can only come from citizens; because in this age of information and empowerment, people want more control over their lives, not less; and because, more than any other form of government ever devised, only democracy, rooted in the sanctity of the individual, can deliver real progress.

Barack Obama (b. 1961) American politician, US President (2009–2017)
Speech, Nordea Concert Hall, Tallinn, Estonia (3 Sep 2014)
(Source)

Jefferson, Thomas -- Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 17 (1782)

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

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty Gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801–09)
Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 17 (1782)
(Source)