WIST Quotations

Austen, Jane -- Letter (1799-01-21) to Cassandra Austen

Dave — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 16:25:18 +0000

I had a very pleasant evening, however, though you will probably find out that there was no particular reason for it; but I do not think it worth while to wait for enjoyment until there is some real opportunity for it.

Jane Austen (1775-1817) English author
Letter (1799-01-21) to Cassandra Austen
(Source)

Martin, Judith -- Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 1 “Introduction,” “Some Thoughts on the Impulse Rude” (1983)

Dave — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 19:14:08 +0000

People who put slipcovers, doilies, plastic protectors, and cellophane on everything good that they own rarely live to see an occasion so good that all these covers are removed.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 1 “Introduction,” “Some Thoughts on the Impulse Rude” (1983)
(Source)

Martin, Judith -- Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 9 “Advanced Civilization,” “Play” (1983)

Dave — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 16:45:18 +0000

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How about Easter? I suppose you have etiquette rules that apply to Easter Day?

GENTLE READER: Certainly, and when the Day of Judgment comes, Miss Manners will have etiquette rules to apply to that, as well.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 9 “Advanced Civilization,” “Play” (1983)
(Source)

Tusser, Thomas -- A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry, “The Farmer’s Daily Diet” (1557)

Dave — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 18:51:22 +0000

At Christmas play, and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year.

Thomas Tusser (1524-1580) English poet and farmer
A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry, “The Farmer’s Daily Diet” (1557)
(Source)

Taylor, Henry -- The Statesman: An Ironical Treatise on the Art of Succeeding, ch. 3 (1836)

Dave — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 00:21:38 +0000

In our judgment of men, we are to beware of giving any great importance to occasional acts. By acts of occasional virtue weak men endeavour to redeem themselves in their own estimation, vain men to exalt themselves in that of mankind.

Henry Taylor (1800-1886) English dramatist, poet, bureaucrat, man of letters
The Statesman: An Ironical Treatise on the Art of Succeeding, ch. 3 (1836)
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- King John, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 82 (2.1.82) (1596)

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

AUSTRIA: For courage mounteth with occasion.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
King John, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 82 (2.1.82) (1596)
(Source)