WIST Quotations

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 88 (1955)

Dave — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:28:29 +0000

Absolute power is partial to simplicity. It wants simple problems, simple solutions, simple definitions. It sees in complication a product of weakness — the torturous path compromise must follow.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 88 (1955)
(Source)

Johnson, Samuel -- A Dictionary of the English Language, Preface (1755)

Dave — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:06:30 +0000

Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of the language.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
A Dictionary of the English Language, Preface (1755)
(Source)

On use of quotations in his dictionary to illustrate and explore the meanings of words.

Wodehouse, P. G. -- The Inimitable Jeeves, ch. 13 (1923)

Dave — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:12:01 +0000

Jeeves coughed one soft, low, gentle cough like a sheep with a blade of grass stuck in its throat.

P. G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) Anglo-American humorist, playwright and lyricist [Pelham Grenville Wodehouse]
The Inimitable Jeeves, ch. 13 (1923)

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1993-09-21)

Dave — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 10:40:02 +0000

CALVIN: The more you know, the harder it is to take decisive action. Once you become informed, you start seeing complexities and shades of gray. You realize that nothing is as clear and simple as it first appears. Ultimately, knowledge is paralyzing. Being a man of action, I can’t afford to take that risk.

HOBBES: You’re ignorant, but at least you act on it.

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-09-21)
(Source)

Hillesum, Etty -- Diary (1941-10-22)

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

Life cannot be captured in a few axioms. And that is just what I keep trying to do. But it won’t work, for life is full of endless nuances and cannot be captured in just a few formulae.

Esther "Etty" Hillesum (1914-1943) Dutch Jewish law graduate, writer, diarist
Diary (1941-10-22)
(Source)

Collected in An Interrupted Life [Het Verstoorde Leven] (1981) [tr. Pomerans (1983)].