WIST Quotations

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 2 (1963)

Dave — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 20:37:32 +0000

We start out determined to see that our children are good; we soon settle for having them nice.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 2 (1963)
(Source)

Mizner, Wilson -- In Alva Johnston, The Legendary Mizners, ch. 4 (1953)

Dave — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:32:49 +0000

Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.

Wilson Mizner (1876-1933) American screenwriter and wit
In Alva Johnston, The Legendary Mizners, ch. 4 (1953)

Also quoted in Evan Esar, The Dictionary of Humorous Quotations (1949). Often attributed to Walter Winchell, who frequently quoted Mizner.

Shaftesbury, Earl of -- Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times, Vol. 1, “Sensus Communis” (1711)

Dave — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:24:11 +0000

All Politeness is owing to Liberty. We polish one another, and rub off our Corners and rough Sides by a sort of amicable Collision. To restrain this, is inevitably to bring a Rust upon Men’s Understandings.

Anthony Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713) English politician and philosopher
Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times, Vol. 1, “Sensus Communis” (1711)

Barry, Dave -- “25 Things I Have Learned In 50 Years,” #21 (1997)

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

A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.

Dave Barry (b. 1947) American humorist, author, columnist
“25 Things I Have Learned In 50 Years,” #21 (1997)