WIST Quotations

Russell, Bertrand -- Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 13 “Family” (1930)

Dave — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:39:42 +0000

For my own part, speaking personally, I have found the happiness of parenthood greater than any other that I have experienced.

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 13 “Family” (1930)
(Source)

Bacon, Francis -- “Of Parents and Children,” Essays (1625)

Dave — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:04:45 +0000

Children sweeten labors; but they make misfortunes more bitter.

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) English philosopher, scientist, author, statesman
“Of Parents and Children,” Essays (1625)
(Source)

Cox, Marcelene -- “Ask Any Woman” column, Ladies’ Home Journal (1945-05)

Dave — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:23:23 +0000

Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of trees is lost when raking leaves.

Marcelene Cox (1900-1998) American writer, columnist, aphorist
“Ask Any Woman” column, Ladies’ Home Journal (1945-05)
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- King Lear, Act 1, sc. 4, l. 302ff (1.4.302-303) (1606)

Dave — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 15:01:58 +0000

LEAR: How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is
To have a thankless child.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
King Lear, Act 1, sc. 4, l. 302ff (1.4.302-303) (1606)
(Source)

Kerr, Jean -- Essay (1957), “Introduction,” Please Don’t Eat the Daisies

Dave — Wed, 27 May 2020 17:00:11 +0000

Now the thing about having a baby — and I can’t be the first person to have noticed this — is that thereafter you have it.

Jean Kerr (1922-2003) American author and playwright [b. Bridget Jean Collins]
Essay (1957), “Introduction,” Please Don’t Eat the Daisies
(Source)

McGinley, Phyllis -- Poem (1952-03-15), “Homework for Annabelle,” st. 4, New Yorker, Vol. 28, No. 4

Dave — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 16:24:22 +0000

For high is the price of parenthood,
And daughters may cost you double.
You dare not forget, as you thought you could,
That youth is a plague and a trouble.

Phyllis McGinley (1905-1978) American author, poet
Poem (1952-03-15), “Homework for Annabelle,” st. 4, New Yorker, Vol. 28, No. 4
(Source)

Reprinted in Love Letters (1954). Full poem.

Roosevelt, Theodore -- Autobiography, ch. 9 “Outdoors and Indoors” (1913)

Dave — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:21:26 +0000

There are many kinds of success in life worth having. It is exceedingly interesting and attractive to be a successful business man, or railroad man, or farmer, or a successful lawyer or doctor; or a writer, or a President, or a ranchman, or the colonel of a fighting regiment, or to kill grizzly bears and lions. But for unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly makes all other forms of success and achievement lose their importance by comparison.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901–1909)
Autobiography, ch. 9 “Outdoors and Indoors” (1913)
(Source)

Twain, Mark -- Letter (1876-09-01) to Annie Webster

Dave — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:28:15 +0000

A baby is an inestimable blessing and bother.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Letter (1876-09-01) to Annie Webster
(Source)

This quote is widely cited, but I was unable to find a decent source for it online.