WIST Quotations

Moliere -- Don Juan [Dom Juan], Act 1, sc. 1 (1665) [tr. Waller (1904)]

Dave — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:07:37 +0000

SGANARELLE: But when a great lord is a wicked man, it is a terrible thing.

[Mais un grand seigneur méchant homme est une terrible chose.]

Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
Don Juan [Dom Juan], Act 1, sc. 1 (1665) [tr. Waller (1904)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Other translations:

But a great Lord, a wicked Man, is a terrible thing.
[tr. Clitandre (1672)]

If a great lord is a wicked man it is a terrible thing.
[tr. Van Laun (1876)]

But if a great lord is also a wicked man, it is a terrible thing.
[tr. Wall (1879)]

But a wicked nobleman is a terrible thing.
[tr. Page (1908)]

But a great lord who is a wicked man is a terrible thing.
[tr. Frame (1967)]

But a wicked nobleman is a frightening master.
[tr. Bermel (1987)]

But a great lord who's a wicked man is a frightening thing.
[tr. Wilbur (2001)]

Sometimes rendered "What a terrible thing to be a great lord, yet a wicked man," though I could not find a good source for that phrasing, which is also attributed to Carlos Castañeda.

Bird, Brad -- The Incredibles (2004)

Dave — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 18:35:13 +0000

BOB: You know I’m retired from hero work.
EDNA: As am I, Robert, yet here we are!

Brad Bird (b. 1957) American director, animator and screenwriter [Phillip Bradley Bird]
The Incredibles (2004)
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- Winter’s Tale, Act 4, sc. 4, l. 932ff (4.4.932-935) (1611)

Dave — Wed, 12 May 2004 19:30:21 +0000

SHEPHERD’S SON: He seems to be of
great authority. Close with him, give him gold; and
though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft
led by the nose with gold.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Winter’s Tale, Act 4, sc. 4, l. 932ff (4.4.932-935) (1611)
(Source)