WIST Quotations

Billings, Josh -- Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1871-03 “Housekeer’s Guide” (1871 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 23:36:28 +0000

To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself once in a while.

Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1871-03 “Housekeer’s Guide” (1871 ed.)
(Source)

Gaiman, Neil -- Speech (2012-05-17), Commencement, University of the Arts, Philadelphia [19:05]

Dave — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 22:14:07 +0000

So be wise, because the world needs more wisdom, and if you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise, and then just behave like they would.

Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) British author, screenwriter, fabulist
Speech (2012-05-17), Commencement, University of the Arts, Philadelphia [19:05]
(Source)

(Source (Video))

Thomas a Kempis -- The Imitation of Christ [De Imitatione Christi], Book 2, ch. 3, v. 1 (2.3.1) (c. 1418-27) [tr. Rooney (1979)]

Dave — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:55:21 +0000

Be at peace yourself. Then you will be able to bring peace to others.

[Pone te primus in pace, et tunc alios poteris pacificare.]

Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471) German-Dutch priest, author
The Imitation of Christ [De Imitatione Christi], Book 2, ch. 3, v. 1 (2.3.1) (c. 1418-27) [tr. Rooney (1979)]
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

First put thyself in peace, and then mayest thou the better pacify others.
[tr. Whitford/Raynal (1530/1871)]

First put yourself at peace, and then you may the better make others be at peace.
[tr. Whitford/Gardiner (1530/1955)]

Be first of all at peace with thy selfe, then maist thou be better able to pacifie others.
[tr. Page (1639)]

Secure Peace at Home in the first place; and, when thy own Breast is thus composed, it will then be proper to Reconcile and make Peace among thy Neighbors.
[tr. Stanhope (1696; 1706 ed.)]

Thou must first secure the peace of thy own breast; before thou wilt be qualified to restore peace to others.
[tr. Payne (1803)]

First, keep thyself in peace, and then shalt thou be able to pacify others.
[ed. Parker (1841)]

Thou must first secure the peace of thy own breast ere thou be qualified to restore peace to others.
[tr. Dibdin (1851)]

First keep thyself in peace, and then thou wilt be able to bring others to peace.
[ed. Bagster (1860)]

First keep thyself in peace, and then shalt thou be able to be a peacemaker towards others.
[tr. Benham (1874)]

First keep thyself in peace, and then thou shalt be able to keep peace among others.
[tr. Anon. (1901)]

First keep peace with yourself; then you will be able to bring peace to others.
[tr. Croft/Bolton (1940)]

Keep yourself at peace first, and then you will be able to make others peaceful.
[tr. Daplyn (1952)]

Firstly, be peaceful yourself, and you will be able to bring peace to others.
[tr. Sherley-Price (1952)]

Peace in your own soul first of all, then you can think about making peace between other people.
[tr. Knox-Oakley (1959)]

Live in peace yourself and then you can bring peace to others.
[tr. Knott (1962)]

Keep yourself at peace first, and then you will be able to bring peace to others.
[tr. Creasy (1989)]

Biden, Joe -- Inaugural Address (20 Jan 2021)

Dave — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 19:13:54 +0000

We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.

Joe Biden (b. 1942) American politician, US President (2021- ) [Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.]
Inaugural Address (20 Jan 2021)
(Source)

Regarding American foreign relations.

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)

Rickover, Hyman -- Speech (1981-11-05), “Doing a Job,” Egleston Medal Award Dinner, Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science, New York

Dave — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:46:06 +0000

The man in charge must concern himself with details. If he does not consider them important, neither will his subordinates. Yet “the devil is in the details.” It is hard and monotonous to pay attention to seemingly minor matters. In my work, I probably spend about ninety-nine percent of my time on what others may call petty details. Most managers would rather focus on lofty policy matters. But when the details are ignored, the project fails. No infusion of policy or lofty ideals can then correct the situation.

Hyman Rickover (1900-1986) Polish-American naval engineer, admiral [b. Chaim Gdala Rykower]
Speech (1981-11-05), “Doing a Job,” Egleston Medal Award Dinner, Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science, New York
(Source)