WIST Quotations

Catt, Carrie Chapman -- Personal Motto

Dave — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:46:01 +0000

To the wrong that needs resistance
To the right that needs assistance
To the future in the distance
Give yourself!

Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) American women's suffrage activist
Personal Motto
(Source)

Conveyed in a letter from Catt to Aletta Jacobs, after the death of Jacobs' husband.

Longworth, Alice Roosevelt -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 22:04:30 +0000

I have a simple philosophy. Fill what’s empty, empty what’s full, and scratch where it itches.

Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980) American writer and socialite
(Attributed)

Quoted in Peter Passell & Leonard Ross, The Best (1974). When asked her opinion of the sexual revolution. Also attributed to Wallis Simpson.

Guiterman, Arthur -- “Of Duty” (1924)

Dave — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:50:56 +0000

When “Do no Evil” has been understood,
Then learn the harder, braver rule, “Do Good.”

Arthur Guiterman (1871-1943) American poet, humorist
“Of Duty” (1924)

Inge, William Ralph -- “Our Present Discontents,” Outspoken Essays: First Series (1919)

Dave — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:42:43 +0000

The democracy is a ready victim to shibboleths and catchwords, as all demagogues know too well.

William Ralph Inge (1860-1954) English prelate [Dean Inge]
“Our Present Discontents,” Outspoken Essays: First Series (1919)

Twain, Mark -- Story (1892), The American Claimant, ch. 2 [Col. Sellers]

Dave — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:53:07 +0000

But banish care, it’s no time for it now — on with the dance, let joy be unconfined is my motto, whether there’s any dance to dance; or any joy to unconfine — you’ll be the healthier for it every time, — every time, Washington — it’s my experience, and I’ve seen a good deal of this world.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Story (1892), The American Claimant, ch. 2 [Col. Sellers]
(Source)

The Colonel is riffing from Byron (1818).

Vauvenargues, Luc de -- Reflections and Maxims [Réflexions et maximes], #107 (1746) [tr Stevens (1940)]

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

Men’s maxims reveal their characters.

Luc de Clapiers, Marquis de Vauvenargues (1715-1747) French moralist, essayist, soldier
Reflections and Maxims [Réflexions et maximes], #107 (1746) [tr Stevens (1940)]

Alt. trans.: "The maxims of men reveal their hearts."