WIST Quotations

Adams, Douglas -- The Salmon of Doubt, “The Salmon of Doubt,” ch. 4 (2002) [ed. Peter Guzzardi]

Dave — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:33:07 +0000

He was constantly reminded of how startlingly different a place the world was when viewed from a point only three feet to the left.

Douglas Adams (1952-2001) English author, humorist, screenwriter
The Salmon of Doubt, “The Salmon of Doubt,” ch. 4 (2002) [ed. Peter Guzzardi]
(Source)

West, Jessamyn -- The Life I Really Lived (1979)

Dave — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:30:32 +0000

You make what seems a simple choice: choose a man or a job or a neighborhood — and what you have chosen is not a man or a job or a neighborhood, but a life.

Jessamyn West (1902-1984) American writer, Quaker
The Life I Really Lived (1979)
(Source)

Twain, Mark -- Life on the Mississippi, ch. 30 (1883)

Dave — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:55:53 +0000

We asked a passenger who belonged there what sort of place it was. “Well,” said he, after considering, and with the air of one who wishes to take time and be accurate, “It’s a hell of a place.” A description which was photographic for exactness.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Life on the Mississippi, ch. 30 (1883)
(Source)

Describing Arkansas City, Arkansas.

Lerner, Alan Jay -- “Camelot” [Arthur], Camelot(1960; 1967)

Dave — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 17:28:45 +0000

In short, there’s simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily-ever-aftering than here
In Camelot.

Alan Jay Lerner (1918-1986) American dramatist, lyricist, composer
“Camelot” [Arthur], Camelot(1960; 1967)
(Source)

Based on T.H. White, The Once and Future King (1958).

Nathan, George Jean -- Testament of a Critic. Book 1 “Revelation” (1931)

Dave — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:26:46 +0000

I have no patriotism, for patriotism, as I see it, is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles.

George Jean Nathan (1892-1958) American editor and critic
Testament of a Critic. Book 1 “Revelation” (1931)
(Source)

Abbey, Edward -- “TV Show: Out There On the Rocks,” One Life at a Time, Please (1988)

Dave — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 15:44:16 +0000

There are some places so beautiful they can make a grown man break down and weep.

Edward Abbey (1927-1989) American anarchist, writer, environmentalist
“TV Show: Out There On the Rocks,” One Life at a Time, Please (1988)
(Source)