WIST Quotations

Jacobs, Jane -- The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Introduction (1961)

Dave — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 17:01:34 +0000

There is a quality even meaner than outright ugliness or disorder, and this meaner quality is the dishonest mask of pretended order, achieved by ignoring or suppressing the real order that is struggling to exist and to be served.

Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) American-Canadian journalist, author, urban theorist, activist
The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Introduction (1961)
(Source)

On urban planning that disregards actual needs for gratuitous features that please outside observers.

Kennedy, John F. -- Speech, Liberal Party Nomination, New York (14 Sep 1960)

Dave — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 21:38:46 +0000

Our responsibility is not discharged by an announcement of virtuous ends. Our responsibility is to achieve these objectives with social invention, with political skill, and executive vigor. I believe for these reasons, that liberalism is our best and our only hope in the world today.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) American politician, author, journalist, US President (1961–63)
Speech, Liberal Party Nomination, New York (14 Sep 1960)
(Source)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 147 (1955)

Dave — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:31:02 +0000

The only index by which to judge a government or a way of life is by the quality of the people it acts upon. No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion — it is an evil government.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 147 (1955)
(Source)