WIST Quotations

Goodall, Jane -- “The Power of One,” Time Magazine (26 Aug 2002)

Dave — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:47:53 +0000

The greatest danger to our future is apathy. We cannot expect those living in poverty and ignorance to worry about saving the world. For those of us able to read this magazine, it is different. We can do something to preserve our planet.

Jane Goodall (b. 1934) English primatologist and anthropologist
“The Power of One,” Time Magazine (26 Aug 2002)

Neale, John Mason -- “Good King Wenceslas” (1853)

Dave — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 05:02:38 +0000

Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
shall yourselves find blessing.

John Mason Neale (1818–1866) English cleric, scholar, hymnist
“Good King Wenceslas” (1853)

Zweig, Stefan -- Marie Antoinette (1932)

Dave — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 16:27:24 +0000

Lightly, caressingly, Marie Antoinette picked up the crown as a gift. She was still too young to know that life never gives anything for nothing, and that a price is always exacted for what fate bestows. She did not think she would have to pay a price. She simply accepted the rights of her royal position and performed no duties in exchange. She wanted to combine two things which are, in actual human experience, incompatible; she wanted to reign and at the same time to enjoy.

Stefan Zweig (1881–1942) Austrian novelist, playwright, journalist, biographer
Marie Antoinette (1932)

Trumbo, Dalton -- Spartacus (1960) [novel by Howard Fast]

Dave — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 00:54:58 +0000

CRASSUS: One of the disadvantages of being a patrician is that occasionally you’re obliged to act like one.

Dalton Trumbo (1905–1976) American screenwriter and novelist [James Dalton Trumbo]
Spartacus (1960) [novel by Howard Fast]

Addison, Joseph -- Essay (1712-01-08), The Spectator, No. 269

Dave — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 19:55:24 +0000

“I have often thought,” says Sir Roger, “it happens very well that Christmas should fall out in the middle of winter. It is the most dead uncomfortable time of the year, when the poor people would suffer very much from their poverty and cold, if they had not good cheer, warm fires, and Christmas gambols to support them. I love to rejoice their poor hearts at this season, and to see the whole village merry in my great hall.”

Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1712-01-08), The Spectator, No. 269

Quoting Roger de Coverley. While the more frequent shorter excerpt (as in the image) conjures up enjoyment of the winter season, the broader quote demonstrates a noblesse oblige regarding the poor in winter.