WIST Quotations

Smith, Adam -- The Wealth of Nations, 1.2 (1776)

Dave — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:54:44 +0000

We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our necessities but of their advantages.

Adam Smith (1723-1790) Scottish economist
The Wealth of Nations, 1.2 (1776)

Lewin, Ronald -- Ultra Goes to War, ch. 10 (1978)

Dave — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:58:38 +0000

Nearly always, the best deception trades on the enemy’s own preconceptions. If he already believes what you want him to believe, you have merely to confirm his own ideas rather than to undertake the more difficult task of inserting new ones into his mind.

Ronald Lewin (1914-1984) British military historian, radio producer publishing editor
Ultra Goes to War, ch. 10 (1978)

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- (Attributed)

Dave — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:32:30 +0000

There is no better way to convince others than first to convince oneself.

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
(Attributed)
(Source)

In Martin Luther, Table Talk (1566) [tr. Smith & Gallinger (1915)].

Harris, Joel Chandler -- Legends of the Old Plantation, “How Mr. Rabbit was too sharp for Mr. Fox” (1886)

Dave — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:39:47 +0000

“I don’t keer w’at you do wid me, Brer Fox,” sezee, “so you don’t fling me in dat brier-patch. Roas’ me, Brer Fox” sezee, “but don’t fling me in dat brier-patch,” sezee.

Joel Chandler Harris (1848-1908) American writer
Legends of the Old Plantation, “How Mr. Rabbit was too sharp for Mr. Fox” (1886)