WIST Quotations

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

Dave — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:42:55 +0000

Now, while we are a generous nation, giving with a free hand and with an open heart whenever there is need or suffering (that we can understand, at least), we have one weakness that, considering our political maturity as a nation, is rather immature. We continue to expect the world to be grateful to us and to love us. We are hurt and indignant when we do not receive gratitude and love.
Gratitude and love are not to be had for the asking; they are not to be bought. We should not want to think that they are for sale. What we should seek, rather than gratitude or love, is the respect of the world. This we can earn by enlightened justice. But it is rather naive of us to think that when we are helping people our action is entirely unselfish. It is not. It is not unselfish when we vaccinate the public against smallpox. It is a precautionary measure, but nonetheless good in itself.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American politician, diplomat, activist; First Lady of the US (1933–45)
Memoir (1961), The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Part 4, ch. 41 “Milestones”

On the United States and foreign aid.

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

Roosevelt, Theodore -- Autobiography, Introduction (1913)

Dave — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:15:50 +0000

All for each, and each for all, is a good motto; but only on condition that each works with might and main to so maintain himself as not to be a burden to others.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer; US President (1901–09)
Autobiography, Introduction (1913)

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 9. Letter to the Galatians 6: 2 (Gal 6:2) [KJV (1611)]

Dave — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:09:22 +0000

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

[Ἀλλήλων τὰ βάρη βαστάζετε καὶ οὕτως ἀναπληρώσετε τὸν νόμον τοῦ Χριστοῦ.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 9. Letter to the Galatians 6: 2 (Gal 6:2) [KJV (1611)]

See Thomas à Kempis (c. 1420).

(Source (Greek)). Other translations:

You should carry each other's troubles and fulfil the law of Christ.
[JB (1966)]

Carry each other's burdens; that is how to keep the law of Christ.
[NJB (1985)]

Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ.
[GNT (1992 ed.)]

Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.
[CEB (2011)]

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Euripides -- Helen [Ἑλένη], l. 329 (412 BC) [tr. Lattimore (1956)]

Dave — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:07:57 +0000

CHORUS: It is right for women to stand by a woman’s cause.

[ΧΟΡΟΣ: γυναῖκα γὰρ δὴ συμπονεῖν γυναικὶ χρή.]

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Helen [Ἑλένη], l. 329 (412 BC) [tr. Lattimore (1956)]

Encouraging Helen to learn more about her husband's fate from the prophetess Theonoë, and offering to go with her. (Source (Greek)). Other translations:

Thus a woman ought
With friendly aid to share a woman's cares.
[tr. Potter (1783), l. 370ff]

For 'tis a woman's duty to exert
Her utmost efforts in a woman's cause.
[tr. Wodhull (1809)]

For it is meet that a woman should with a woman labor.
[tr. Buckley (1850)]

For, truly, women ought to help each other.
[tr. Coleridge (1891)]

That woman woman's burden share, is meet.
[tr. Way (Loeb) (1912)]

Women in woman's need must sympathise.
[tr. Sheppard (1925)]

For women ought to give each other helping hands.
[tr. Warner (1951)]

Women ought to help each other.
[tr. Vellacott (1954)]

We are all women;
and it is right for us to shoulder one another's burdens.
[tr. Meagher (1986)]

Women should support one another.
[tr. Davie (2002)]

For 'tis a woman's bounden duty to share a sister's trouble.
[tr. Athenian Society (2006)]

Women should stick together, and help each other out.
[tr. A. Wilson (2007)]

We women must help one another.
[tr. Theodoridis (2011)]

For woman must with woman toil.
[tr. Ambrose et al. (2018)]

For, truly, women ought to help each other.
[tr. Coleridge / Helen Heroization Team]

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 14 “Des Gouvernements [On Governments],” ¶ 38 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866), ch. 12]

Dave — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:26:30 +0000

Men are born unequal. The great benefit of society is to diminish this inequality as much as is possible, by procuring for all, security, property, education, and assistance.

[Les hommes naissent inégaux. Le grand bienfait de la société est de diminuer cette inégalité autant qu’il est possible, en procurant à tous la sûreté, la propriété nécessaire, l’éducation et les secours.]

Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 14 “Des Gouvernements [On Governments],” ¶ 38 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866), ch. 12]

(Source (French)).

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1938-07-08), Northwest Territory Sesquicentennial, Muskingum Park, Marietta, Ohio

Dave — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 14:53:33 +0000

Let us not be afraid to help each other — let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and Senators and Congressmen and Government officials but the voters of this country.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman; US President (1933–45)
Speech (1938-07-08), Northwest Territory Sesquicentennial, Muskingum Park, Marietta, Ohio

~Other -- Medieval Jewish story

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

A rabbi spoke with God about heaven and hell.
“I will show you hell,” God said, and they went into a room which had a large pot of stew in the middle. The smell was delicious, but around the pot sat people who were famished and desperate. All were holding spoons with very long handles which reached to the pot, but, because the handles were longer than their arms, it was impossible to get the stew back into their mouths.
“Now I will show you heaven,” God said, and they went into an identical room. there was a similar pot of stew, the smell was delicious, and the people had identical spoons, but they were well-nourished and happy.
“It’s simple,” God said. “You see, they have learned to feed one another.”

(Other Authors and Sources)
Medieval Jewish story