WIST Quotations

Stevenson, Robert Louis -- Novel (1886), Kidnapped, ch. 18 “I Talk with Alan in the Wood of Lettermore” [Alan]

Dave — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 20:55:07 +0000

I’ve a grand memory for forgetting, David.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Novel (1886), Kidnapped, ch. 18 “I Talk with Alan in the Wood of Lettermore” [Alan]

Suggesting he will soon "forget" the name of the murderer of a Campbell.

This chapter was originally published in Young Folks Paper, Vol. 28, No. 812 (1886-06-19)

Steele, Richard -- Essay (1710-06-06), “On the Death of Friends,” The Tatler, No. 181

Dave — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:16:48 +0000

We that are very old, are better able to remember things which befell us in our distant youth, than the passages of later days.

Richard Steele (1672–1729) Anglo-Irish writer, journalist, playwright, politician
Essay (1710-06-06), “On the Death of Friends,” The Tatler, No. 181

Steele did not provide a title when this essay was published in The Tatler. It is also sometimes called "On Recollections of Childhood." It was published under Steele's pseudonym, Isaac Bickerstaff.

Kerr, Jean -- Essay (1957), “One Half of Two on the Aisle,” Please Don’t Eat the Daisies

Dave — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:15:06 +0000

An actor can remember his briefest notice well into senescence and long after he has forgotten his phone number and where he lives.

Jean Kerr (1922–2003) American author and playwright [b. Bridget Jean Collins]
Essay (1957), “One Half of Two on the Aisle,” Please Don’t Eat the Daisies

No earlier magazine publication found.