WIST Quotations

Doyle, Arthur Conan -- Story (1890-02), “The Sign of the Four,” ch. 6 [Holmes], Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine, Vol. 45 (US) / 1 (UK)

Dave — Tue, 26 May 2026 18:15:10 +0000

You know my methods. Apply them.

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) British writer and physician
Story (1890-02), “The Sign of the Four,” ch. 6 [Holmes], Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine, Vol. 45 (US) / 1 (UK)
(Source)

The original publication, and Doyle's manuscript (along with many other iterations across media) use "The Sign of the Four" as the title, while others (including the first book publications) use "The Sign of Four." The five-word form is used most commonly in the story, but the four-word form does show up. (More info.)

Published in novel form as The Sign of Four (1890-10).

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Column (1942-08), “If You Ask Me,” Ladies’ Home Journal, Vol. 59

Dave — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:53:32 +0000

Q. Should we discourage children from playing war games?

A. We might wish to discourage them, but it would be utterly useless at the present time, so we might as well give in gracefully and try to see that when war games are played they teach the lessons which we wish our children to learn — fair play, magnanimity in victory, courage in defeat and no hatred of peoples.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) First Lady of the US (1933–1945), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1942-08), “If You Ask Me,” Ladies’ Home Journal, Vol. 59
(Source)

Taleb, Nassim Nicholas -- The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms, “Postface” (2010)

Dave — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 20:47:06 +0000

When the map does not correspond to the territory, there is a certain category of fool — the overeducated, the academic, the journalist, the newspaper reader, the mechanistic “scientist”, the pseudo-empiricist, those endowed with what I call “epistemic arrogance”, this wonderful ability to discount what they did not see, the unobserved — who enter a state of denial, imagining the territory as fitting the map.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb (b. 1960) Lebanese-American essayist, statistician, risk analyst, aphorist
The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms, “Postface” (2010)
(Source)

Taleb, Nassim Nicholas -- The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms, “Postface” (2010)

Dave — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:48:20 +0000

Because our minds need to reduce information, we are more likely to try to squeeze a phenomenon into the Procrustean bed of a crisp and known category (amputating the unknown), rather than suspend categorization, and make it tangible. Thanks to our detections of false patterns, along with real ones, what is random will appear less random and more certain — our overactive brains are more likely to impose the wrong, simplistic, narrative than no narrative at all.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb (b. 1960) Lebanese-American essayist, statistician, risk analyst, aphorist
The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms, “Postface” (2010)
(Source)

Anstey, F. -- The Brass Bottle, ch. 1 “Horace Ventimore Receives a Commission” (1900)

Dave — Wed, 01 May 2024 23:03:02 +0000

Models of manly beauty are rare out of novels, and seldom interesting in them.

F. Anstey (1856–1934) English novelist and journalist (pseud. of Thomas Anstey Guthrie)
The Brass Bottle, ch. 1 “Horace Ventimore Receives a Commission” (1900)
(Source)

Jacobs, Jane -- “No Virtue in Meek Conformity” (1952)

Dave — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:05:08 +0000

I do not think military readiness, in itself, will defeat Communism. I do not think we can consider the job finished with that. I think it buys us time to do the bigger job. We must demonstrate that it is possible to overcome poverty, misery and decay by democratic means, and that we must ourselves believe, and must show others, that our American tradition of the dignity and liberty of the individual is not a luxury for easy times but is the basic source of strength and security of a successful society.

Jane Jacobs (1916–2006) American-Canadian journalist, author, urban theorist, activist
“No Virtue in Meek Conformity” (1952)
(Source)

Foreword to her response to a State Department Loyalty Security Board interrogatory (1952-03-25). Reprinted in Vital Little Plans (2016).

Rogers, Will -- Column (1925-02-22), “Weekly Article: These Reds Are Like the Exhaust to an Automobile, All Noise and Smell” [No. 115]

Dave — Wed, 03 May 2023 17:07:40 +0000

The last few days I have read various addresses made on Lincoln’s Birthday. Every Politician always talks about him, but none of them ever imitate him.

Will Rogers (1879–1935) American humorist
Column (1925-02-22), “Weekly Article: These Reds Are Like the Exhaust to an Automobile, All Noise and Smell” [No. 115]
(Source)

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 2, ch. 23 (3.23) / sec. 57 (3.57) (45 BC) [tr. Yonge (1853)]

Dave — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:43:47 +0000

MARCUS: All things are tolerable which others have borne and are bearing.

[Sed significat tolerabilia esse, quae et tulerint et ferant ceteri.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 2, ch. 23 (3.23) / sec. 57 (3.57) (45 BC) [tr. Yonge (1853)]
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

Those things are in themselves tolerable, which others have born, and do bear.
[tr. Wase (1643)]

All things are tolerable which others have borne and can bear.
[tr. Main (1824)]

What others have endured and endure must be tolerable.
[tr. Otis (1839)]

Things are tolerable which others have borne and are bearing.
[tr. Peabody (1886)]

The circumstances at hand are indeed tolerable, since others have tolerated them and continue to do so.
[tr. Graver (2002)]

Franklin, Benjamin -- Letter to Jane Mecom (23 Feb 1769)

Dave — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 22:25:05 +0000

Each party abuses the other; the profane and the infidel believe both sides, and enjoy the fray; the reputation of religion in general suffers, and its enemies are ready to say, not what was said in the primitive times, Behold how these Christians love one another, — but, Mark how these Christians HATE one another! Indeed, when religious people quarrel about religion, or hungry people about their victuals, it looks as if they had not much of either among them.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Letter to Jane Mecom (23 Feb 1769)
(Source)

On the vociferous denominational debate in America over whether a new bishop should be sent from the Church of England to the Colonies.

DeKnight, Steven S. -- Angel, 4×01 “Deep Down” (6 Oct 2002)

Dave — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 19:58:07 +0000

ANGEL: Nothing in the world is the way it ought to be. It’s harsh, and cruel. But that’s why there’s us, champions. Doesn’t matter where we come from, what we’ve done or suffered, or even if we make a difference. We live as though the world is as it should be, to show it what it can be.

Steven S. DeKnight (b. 1964) American television screenwriter, producer
Angel, 4×01 “Deep Down” (6 Oct 2002)

Menen, Aubrey -- The Abode of Love, Part 3, “The Random Wooings” (1956)

Dave — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:58:19 +0000

The essence of success is that it is never necessary to think of a new idea oneself. It is far better to wait until somebody else does it, and then to copy him in every detail, except his mistakes.

Aubrey Menen (1912–1989) British writer, novelist, satirist, theatre critic
The Abode of Love, Part 3, “The Random Wooings” (1956)
(Source)

Camara, Helder -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 23:51:17 +0000

Be careful how you live your life, it is the only Gospel many people will ever read.

Hélder Câmara (1909–1999) Brazilian Catholic Archbishop, social and political activist
(Attributed)

Quoted in 1985 in Basta, the national news letter of the Chicago Religious Task Force on Central America.

Other translations: "Watch how you live. Your lives may be the only gospel your brothers and sisters will ever read."

Bronowski, Jacob -- “The Abacus and the Rose” [Potts], Science and Human Values (1965 ed.)

Dave — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 19:02:53 +0000

There is no correct description of nature. Nature is more subtle, more deeply intertwined and more strangely integrated than any of our pictures of her — than any of our errors. It is not merely that our pictures are not full enough; each of our pictures in the end turns out to be so basically mistaken that the marvel is that it worked at all.

Jacob Bronowski (1908–1974) Polish-English humanist and mathematician
“The Abacus and the Rose” [Potts], Science and Human Values (1965 ed.)
(Source)

Spurgeon, Charles -- Spurgeon’s Sermons, 3rd Series, Sermon 21, “Manasseh” (1883)

Dave — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 05:02:17 +0000

Children will imitate their fathers in their vices, seldom in their repentance.

Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) British Baptist preacher, author [Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon]
Spurgeon’s Sermons, 3rd Series, Sermon 21, “Manasseh” (1883)
(Source)

Brooks, Phillips -- Sermons, Vol. 1

Dave — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 03:51:17 +0000

No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle, pure, and good, without the world being the better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.

Phillips Brooks (1835–1893) American clergyman, hymnist
Sermons, Vol. 1
(Source)

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Epistulae ad Familiares [Letters to Friends], Book 4, Letter 3, sec. 1 (4.3.1), to Servius Sulpitas Rufus (46 BC ) [tr. Williams (Loeb) (1928)]

Dave — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 01:15:17 +0000

After a survey of all our civil wars, with a wealth of detail you urged the Senate, while they feared the warnings of the civil wars within their memory, to draw the inference that, as the earlier combatants had shown a ruthlessness hitherto quite unprecedented in the Republic, so whosoever should subsequently succeed in crushing the Republic by force of arms would display a tyranny far more intolerable. For men assume that what is done by precedent is also done by right; but they add to that precedent and contribute to it something, nay rather, a great deal of their own.

[Accuratissime monuisti senatum conlectis omnibus bellis civilibus, ut et illa timerent, quae meminissent, et scirent, cum superiores nullo tali exemplo antea in re publica cognito tam crudeles fuissent, quicumque postea rem publicam oppressisset armis, multo intolerabiliorem futurum. nam, quod exemplo fit, id etiam iure fieri putant, ipsi aliquid atque adeo multa addunt et adferunt de suo.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Epistulae ad Familiares [Letters to Friends], Book 4, Letter 3, sec. 1 (4.3.1), to Servius Sulpitas Rufus (46 BC ) [tr. Williams (Loeb) (1928)]
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Other translation:

You admonished the Senate, to take heed, by the calamities that were past: and to thinke how much more intollerable those would be, which oppressed the Country in these times, seeing they had beene so cruell, who oppressed it heretofore, having thereof no former president or example: in that men, doe usually thinke, that they may in all reason doe, what they have example for; nay, and to doe worse, then their president allowes.
[tr. Webbe (1620)]

You prudently endeavoured to awaken our fears, by enumerating those civil wars that had happened within our own memories. And if the authors of these, you told the house, unsupported by a single example of the same kind to give a colour to their conduct, had exercised such dreadful cruelties; whoever in future times should successfully turn his arms against the republic, would most assuredly prove a much more intolerable tyrant. For they that act by precedent, you observed, generally think they act by right: and in cases of this nature seldom fail of iimproving on their model.
[tr. Melmoth (1753), 9.1; (1814 ed) # 106]

You warned the senate in the most impressive terms, both to fear those they remembered, and to feel assured, since the last generation had been so cruel -- to an extent up to that time unprecedented in the Republic -- that whoever thenceforth overpowered the Republic by arms would be much more difficult to endure. For what is done on a precedent, they Consider as even legally justifiable: but they add and Contribute something, or rather a great deal, of their own to it.
[tr. Shuckburgh (1899), # 492]

Using the shorter, more commonly quoted Quod exemplo fit, id etiam jure fieri putant, there are two common translations used in various sources:

Men think they may justly do that for which they have a precedent.
[E.g. (1882)]

What is shown by example, men think they may justly do.
[E.g. (1937)]

Thomas a Kempis -- The Imitation of Christ [De Imitatione Christi], Book 1, ch. 25, v. 4-5 (1.25.4-5) (c. 1418-27) [tr. Knox-Oakley (1959)]

Dave — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 23:58:20 +0000

Habits to be avoided, or corrected — the ones you are always criticizing in other people. You see, there’s profit to be derived everywhere; when you see or hear about some good example, you can imitate it, when you notice some habit that deserves censure, you can avoid it — or, if you’ve already got into it yourself, be at pains to correct it as soon as possible. Meanwhile, if you’ve a good eye for other people’s faults, don’t forget that they’re watching you.

[Illa etiam magis studeas cavere et vincere quæ tibi in aliis frequentius displicent. Ubique profectum tuum capies ut si bona exempla videas vel audias, de imitandis accendaris. Si quid autem reprehensibile confideraveris, cave ne idem facias, aut si aliquando fecisti, citius emendare te studeas. Sicut oculus tuus alios confiderat, sic iterum ab aliis notaris.]

Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471) German-Dutch priest, author
The Imitation of Christ [De Imitatione Christi], Book 1, ch. 25, v. 4-5 (1.25.4-5) (c. 1418-27) [tr. Knox-Oakley (1959)]
(Source)

See also Matthew 7:3-5.

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

Study also to overcome in thyself those things that most mislike thee in other men, and take always some special profit in everyplace wheresoever thou come; as, if thou see any good example, enforce thee to follow it; and if thou see any evil example, look thou eschew it. As thy eye considereth the works of others, right so and in the same wise be thy works considered by others.
[tr. Whitford/Raynal (1530/1871)]

Study also to overcome in yourself those things that displease you most in others, and always gather some special profit from any place at all. For instance, if you see any good example, make yourself follow it, and if you see any evil example, see that you avoid it. As your eye considers the works of others, so and in the same manner your works are considered by others.
[tr. Whitford/Gardiner (1530/1955)]

Be carefull also to avoid with greater diligence those things in thy selfe which doe most displease thee in others. Gather some profit to thy soul out of every occasion whosoever thou be, so that if thou seest or hearest any good examples, be kindled and provoked to doe the like. But if thou perceive any thing worthy of reproofe, take heed of doing the same, or if thou have done it, labour quickly to amend it. As thou eyest other men so are other mens eies upon thee.
[tr. Page (1639), 1.25.16-19]

And, as this Knowledge of our Own Frailties and Necessities, it is greatly instrumental to our own Improvement, so we shall do well to profit by what we see in Others: and to be particularly concern'd for avoiding and subduing those Habits, which we find most usual and offensive in them with whom we Converse. For the Commonness of any Ill thing is so far from extenuating the Blame of those who copy after it, that it is the direct contrary; and such Examples should be lookt upon, as Marks which discover to us where the Rocks and Sands lie; such as are set to warn us off not to invite us in. Indeed a wise and good Man will turn Examples of all sorts, to his own Advantage. The Good he will make his Patterns, and strive to equal or excel them. The Bad he will by all means avoid; or if by Reflection the Deformity of his Neighbour's Actions happen to represent that of his own, he will be sure to do so no more; and think it a happy occasion, that he is thus grown Wiser by the Folly of others.
[tr. Stanhope (1696; 1706 ed.)]

Be particularly careful also to avoid chiefly those tempers and actions, that chiefly and most frequently displease thee in others. Wherever thou art, turn every thing to an occasion of improvement: if thou beholdeth or heareth of good examples, let them kindle in thee an ardent desire of imitation; if thou seest any thing blameable, beware of doing it thyself; or if thou hast done it, endeavor to amend it the sooner. As thy eye observeth, and thy judgment censureth others, so art thou observed and censured by them.
[tr. Payne (1803), 1.25.5]

Be careful also to avoid with great diligence those things in thyself, which do commonly displease thee in others. Gather some profit to thy soul wheresoever thou be; so as if thou seest or hearest of any good examples, stir up thyself to the imitation thereof. But if thou seest any thing worthy of reproof, beware thou do not the same. And if at any time thou hast done it, labour quickly to amend it. As thine eye observeth others, so art thou also noted again by others.
[ed. Parker (1841)]

Be careful also to avoid those things which more frequently displease thee on others. Wherever thou art, turn every thing to good account: if thou beholdest, or hearest of good examples, let them kindle in thee a desire of imitation; if thou observest any thing blameable , beware of doing it thyself; or, if thou hast occasionally done it, endeavour to amend it the sooner. As thy eye observeth others, so art thou observed by others in turn, and censured by them.
[tr. Dibdin (1851)]

Endeavour with greater zeal to guard against and conquer those vices which most frequently annoy thee in others. Turn all occasions to thy spiritual profit: so that if thou seest or hearest any good examples, thou mayest be spurred on to imitate them. But if thou observe anything that is blameworthy, take heed thou commit not the same; or if thou at any time hast done it, labour to correct thyself as soon as possible. As thine eye observeth others, so art thou in turn observed by others.
[ed. Bagster (1860)]

And strive also very earnestly to guard against and subdue those faults which displease thee most frequently in others. Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art, and wherever thou seest or hearest good examples, stir thyself to follow them, but where thou seest anything which is blameworthy, take heed that thou do not the same; or if at any time thou hast done it, strive quickly to amend thyself. As thine eye observeth others, so again are the eyes of others upon thee.
[tr. Benham (1874)]

Be careful also diligently to avoid those things in thyself, which do commonly displease thee in others. Gather some profit to thy soul wheresoever thou art; so that if thou seest any good examples, stir up thyself to the imitation thereof. But if thou observe anything worthy of reproof; beware thou do not the same. And if at any time thou hast done it, labour quickly to amend thyself. As thine eye observeth others, so art thou also noted again by others.
[tr. Anon. (1901)]

Also try more to avoid and overcome those things which most frequently displease you in others. Make your headway in every direction, so that, if you see or hear of good examples, you are fired to imitate them. But if you consider anything blameworthy, take care that you do not the same; or if at any time you have done so, quickly try to correct yourself. As your eye observes others, so you too are noted by them.
[tr. Daplyn (1952)]

Especially study to avoid and overcome those things that most displease you in other people. Strive to progress in all things, and let any examples you see or hear inspire you to imitate them. But if you observe anything blameworthy, take care not to do the same yourself. And should you ever have done so, amend your conduct without delay. As you observe others, so do others observe you.
[tr. Sherley-Price (1952)]

You must also take care to be on your guard and to overcome those things especially which displease you most often in others. You may find opportunities for progress everywhere -- if you see or hear of good examples, you should be inspired to follow them; if you observe anything that can be blamed, take care that you do not do the same. If you have ever done it, you must quickly mend your ways. As your own eye observes other people, you are in turn observed by them.
[tr. Knott (1962)]

Strive also to escape and overcome whatever you find offensive in others. May you grasp at every opportunity for progress. Where you see or hear good example may you be stirred to follow it. When you notice any deed worthy of condemnation, take care that you do not do likewise; and if you do so sometimes, try to correct yourself as quickly as possible. Just as you see others so also you are seen by them.
[tr. Rooney (1979)]

Billings, Josh -- Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, ch. 130 “Affurisms: Puddin & Milk” (1874)

Dave — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 05:00:07 +0000

What the world wants iz good examples, not so mutch advice; advice may be wrong, but examples prove themselves.

[What the world wants is good examples, not so much advice; advice may be wrong, but examples prove themselves.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, ch. 130 “Affurisms: Puddin & Milk” (1874)
(Source)

Goldsmith, Oliver -- “On Our Theaters,” The Bee, #11 (13 Oct 1759)

Dave — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 18:52:20 +0000

People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy.

Oliver Goldsmith (1730–1774) Irish poet, playwright, novelist
“On Our Theaters,” The Bee, #11 (13 Oct 1759)

Roszak, Theodore -- The Making of the Counter Culture, ch. 8 (1969)

Dave — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:57:54 +0000

One must be prepared not to act, but to “stand still in the light,” confident that only such a stillness possesses the eloquence to draw men away from lives we must believe they inwardly loathe.

Theodore Roszak (1933–2011) American historian and author
The Making of the Counter Culture, ch. 8 (1969)

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Memoir (1961), The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Part 4, ch. 41 “Milestones”

Dave — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:51:35 +0000

It seems to me that America’s objective today should be to try to make herself the best possible mirror of democracy that she can. The people of the world can see what happens here. They watch us to see what we are going to do and how well we can do it. We are giving them the only possible picture of democracy that we can: the picture as it works in actual practice. This is the only way other peoples can see for themselves how it works; and can determine for themselves whether this thing is good in itself, whether it is better than they have, better than what other political and economic systems offer them.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) First Lady of the US (1933–1945), politician, diplomat, activist
Memoir (1961), The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Part 4, ch. 41 “Milestones”
(Source)

This text was not in her previous memoirs, but new to her compiled Autobiography.

Fuller, Buckminster -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 14:15:27 +0000

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) American architect, engineer
(Attributed)

Scalzi, John -- The Last Colony, ch. 4 (2007)

Dave — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:01:52 +0000

Teenagers can be idiotic and stupid, but teenagers also model their behavior from the signals they get from adults.

John Scalzi (b. 1969) American writer
The Last Colony, ch. 4 (2007)

Pasternak, Boris -- Doctor Zhivago [До́ктор Жива́го], Part 2, ch. 8 “Arrival,” sec. 5 [Yury] (1955) [tr. Hayward & Harari (1958), US ed.]

Dave — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 16:47:43 +0000

I used to be very revolutionary, but now I think that nothing can be gained by brute force. People must be drawn to good by goodness.

Boris Pasternak (1890–1960) Russian poet, novelist, and literary translator
Doctor Zhivago [До́ктор Жива́го], Part 2, ch. 8 “Arrival,” sec. 5 [Yury] (1955) [tr. Hayward & Harari (1958), US ed.]
(Source)

Other translations:

I used to be very revolutionary-minded, but now I think that nothing can be gained by violence. People must be drawn to good by goodness.
[tr. Hayward & Harari (1958), UK ed.]

I used to be in a very revolutionary mood, but now I think that we'll gain nothing by violence. People must be drawn to the good by the good.
[tr. Pevear & Volokhonsky (2010)]

Boulding, Kenneth Ewart -- Three Faces of Power (1989)

Dave — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 13:58:25 +0000

We should always bear in mind that numbers represent a simplification of reality.

Kenneth Ewart Boulding (1910–1993) American economist, educator, poet, philosopher
Three Faces of Power (1989)

Boulding, Kenneth Ewart -- Speech, 7th Friends Association for Higher Education Conference, Malone College (1986)

Dave — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 19:55:34 +0000

The World is a very complex system. It is easy to have too simple a view of it, and it is easy to do harm and to make things worse under the impulse to do good and make things better.

Kenneth Ewart Boulding (1910–1993) American economist, educator, poet, philosopher
Speech, 7th Friends Association for Higher Education Conference, Malone College (1986)

Bovee, Christian Nestell -- Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1, “Example” (1862)

Dave — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 14:18:55 +0000

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and insensibly approximate to the characters we most admire. In this way, a generous habit of thought and of action carries with it an incalculable influence.

Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1, “Example” (1862)
(Source)

Chesterfield (Lord) -- Letter to his son, #214 (18 Jan 1750)

Dave — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:28:33 +0000

We are, in truth, more than half what we are by imitation. The great point is, to choose good models and to study them with care.

Lord Chesterfield (1694–1773) English statesman, wit [Philip Dormer Stanhope]
Letter to his son, #214 (18 Jan 1750)
(Source)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 780 (1725)

Dave — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:27:11 +0000

Imitate what is good wheresoever thou findest it, though among Turks, Jews, Pagans, or even Papists. And abominate Evil, though in thy nearest Relation.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 780 (1725)
(Source)

Austen, Jane -- Mansfield Park, ch. 9 [Edmund Bertram] (1814)

Dave — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:43:47 +0000

It will, I believe, be everywhere found, that as the clergy are, or are not what they ought to be, so are the rest of the nation.

Jane Austen (1775–1817) English author
Mansfield Park, ch. 9 [Edmund Bertram] (1814)
(Source)

Sun-Tzu -- The Art of War, ch. 9

Dave — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:44:49 +0000

A leader leads by example not by force.

Sun-Tzu (fl. 6th C. AD) Chinese general and philosopher [a.k.a. Sun Wu]
The Art of War, ch. 9

Aesop -- Fables [Aesopica], “The Two Crabs” (6th C BC) [tr. Jacobs (1894)]

Dave — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:42:48 +0000

Example is the best precept.

Aesop (620?-560? BC) Legendary Greek storyteller
Fables [Aesopica], “The Two Crabs” (6th C BC) [tr. Jacobs (1894)]
(Source)

Other translation: "Example is better than precept." [tr. James (1848), "The Crab and Her Mother"]
Townsend (1887), "The Crab and Its Mother"]

Lowell, James Russell -- “Sonnet 4” (1840)

Dave — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:30:27 +0000

Be noble! And the nobleness that lies
In other men, sleeping, but never dead,
Will rise in majesty to meet thine own.

James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
“Sonnet 4” (1840)
(Source)

Often presented as a simple sentence, rather than lines within a larger poem.

Galbraith, John Kenneth -- A Life in Our Times, ch. 11 “The Dynamics of Error” (1981)

Dave — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:46:54 +0000

The experience of being disastrously wrong is salutary; no economist should be denied it, and not many are. The best, most elegant and most applauded designs can fail, and greatly to your surprise if, in persuading others of their excellence, you have persuaded yourself.

John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-American economist, diplomat, author
A Life in Our Times, ch. 11 “The Dynamics of Error” (1981)
(Source)

Twain, Mark -- The Tragedy of Pudd’n’head Wilson, ch. 19, epigraph (1894)

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

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
The Tragedy of Pudd’n’head Wilson, ch. 19, epigraph (1894)

Box, George E. P. -- Empirical Model Building and Response Surfaces (1987) [with N. R. Draper]

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

Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful.

George E. P. Box (1919–2013) Anglo-American statistician, quality scientist [George Edward Pelham Box]
Empirical Model Building and Response Surfaces (1987) [with N. R. Draper]

As written on p. 424; earlier in the book (p. 74), it is given as: "Remember that all models are wrong; the practical question is how wrong do they have to be to not be useful."

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 19 “De l’Éducation [On Education],” ¶ 3 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866), ch. 14]

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

Children have more need of models than of critics.

[Les enfants ont plus besoin de modèles que de critiques.]

Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 19 “De l’Éducation [On Education],” ¶ 3 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866), ch. 14]
(Source)

Sometimes attributed to Carolyn Coats.

(Source (French)). Other translations:

Children have more need of models than of critics.
[tr. Attwell (1896), ¶ 261]

Children need models rather than critics.
[tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 18, ¶ 1]

Children. Need models more than critics.
[tr. Auster (1983), 1800 entry]

Baldwin, James -- “Fifth Avenue, Uptown,” Esquire (1960-07)

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

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.

James Baldwin (1924–1987) American novelist, playwright, activist
“Fifth Avenue, Uptown,” Esquire (1960-07)
(Source)

Reprinted in Nobody Knows My Name (1961). This is sometimes mis-cited to "The Precarious Vogue of Ingmar Bergman," Esquire (1960-04), which is also reprinted there.

La Rochefoucauld, Francois -- Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶93 (1665-1678) [tr. Bund/Friswell (1871)]

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

Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.

[Les vieillards aiment à donner de bons préceptes, pour se consoler de n’être plus en état de donner de mauvais exemples.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶93 (1665-1678) [tr. Bund/Friswell (1871)]
(Source)

Appeared in the 1st (1665) edition.

(Source (French)). Other translations:

Old Folks love mightily to give good Advice, because this makes them some sort of Amends, for being incapable now of setting Ill Examples.
[tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶94]

Old-age gives good advice, when it is no longer able to give bad example.
[pub. Donaldson (1783), ¶322; ed. Lepoittevin-Lacroix (1797), ¶90]

Old men; are fond of giving good advice, to console themselves for being no longer in a position to give bad examples.
[ed. Gowens (1851), ¶97]

Old people like to give good advice, since they can no longer set bad examples.
[tr. Heard (1917), ¶93]

Old people are fond of giving good advice to console themselves for being no longer able to give bad examples.
[tr. Stevens (1939), ¶93]

Old people love to give good advice: it compensates them for their inability nowadays to set a bad example.
[tr. FitzGibbon (1957), ¶93]

Old men love to give good advice to console themselves for not being able to set bad examples.
[tr. Kronenberger (1959), ¶93]

Old people are fond of giving good advice; it consoles them for no longer being capable of setting a bad example.
[tr. Tancock (1959), ¶93]

Old men love to give good precepts in order to console themselves for no longer being able to set bad examples.
[tr. Whichello (2016), ¶93]

Confucius -- The Analects [論語, 论语, Lúnyǔ], Book 4, verse 17 (4.17) (6th C. BC – AD 3rd C.) [tr. Slingerland (2003)]

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

When you see someone who is worthy, concentrate upon becoming their equal; when you see someone who is unworthy, use this as an opportunity to look within yourself.

[見賢思齊焉、見不賢而內自省也。]

Confucius (c. 551- c. 479 BC) Chinese philosopher, sage, politician [孔夫子 (Kǒng Fūzǐ, K'ung Fu-tzu, K'ung Fu Tse), 孔子 (Kǒngzǐ, Chungni), 孔丘 (Kǒng Qiū, K'ung Ch'iu)]
The Analects [論語, 论语, Lúnyǔ], Book 4, verse 17 (4.17) (6th C. BC – AD 3rd C.) [tr. Slingerland (2003)]
(Source)

(Source (Chinese)). Other translations:

When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
[tr. Legge (1861)]

When you meet with men of worth, think how you may attain to their level; when you see others of an opposite character, examine yourself.
[tr. Jennings (1895)]

When we meet with men of worth, we should think how we may equal them. When we meet with worthless men, we should turn into ourselves and find out if we do not resemble them.
[tr. Ku Hung-Ming (1898)]

When you see a man of worth, think how to rise to his level. When you see an unworthy man, then look within and examine yourself.
[tr. Soothill (1910)]

See solid talent and think of measuring up to it; see the un-solid and examine your own insides.
[tr. Pound (1933)]

In the presence of a good man, think all the time how you may learn to equal him. In the presence of a bad man, turn your gaze within!
[tr. Waley (1938)]

When you see a man of the highest caliber, give thought to attaining his stature. When you see one who is not, go home and conduct a self-examination.
[tr. Ware (1950)]

When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.
[tr. Lau (1979)]

When you come across a superior person, think of being equal to him. When you come across an inferior person, turn inwards and examine yourself.
[tr. Dawson (1993)]

When you see a worthy man, seek to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, examine yourself.
[tr. Leys (1997)]

On seeing a worthy man, think of equalling him; on seeing an unworthy man, examine yourself inwardly.
[tr. Huang (1997)]

One should think to follow the sagaciousness when one sees it; One should examine onceself when one sees the no sagaciousness.
[tr. Cai/Yu (1998), #83]

When you meet persons of exceptional character think to stand shoulder to shoulder with them; meeting persons of little character, look inward and examine yourself.
[tr. Ames/Rosemont (1998)]

When he sees a worthy man, let him think how he might come up to him; when he sees an unworthy man, let him examine within himself.
[tr. Brooks/Brooks (1998)]

In the presence of sages, you can see how to perfect your thoughts. In the presence of folls, you must awaken yourself.
[tr. Hinton (1998)]

When you see a worthy person, think about how you can equal him. When you see an unworthy person, reflect on your own conduct.
[tr. Watson (2007)]

When you meet a worthy person, think how you could become his equal. When you meet an unworthy person, turn inward and examine your own conduct.
[tr. Chin (2014)]

When you meet a virtuous person, you should strive to emulate his virtues. When you meet a person void of virtue, you should consider whether you have the same flaws.
[tr. Li (2020)]

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

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

A good Example is the best sermon.

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

See also Bacon (c. 1600), La Rochefoucauld (1665), Joubert (1850), Billings (1874), Twain (1897).