WIST Quotations

Greenwood, Kerry -- Phryne Fisher, Book 10, Death Before Wicket, ch. 7 (1999)

Dave — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:38:23 +0000

Phryne had never liked pain. It hurt.

Kerry Greenwood (b. 1954) Australian author and lawyer
Phryne Fisher, Book 10, Death Before Wicket, ch. 7 (1999)
(Source)

Ebner-Eschenbach, Marie von -- Aphorisms [Aphorismen], No. 60 (1880) [tr. Scrase/Mieder (1994)]

Dave — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:39:16 +0000

Whatever you think you have to do is simply what you want to do.

[Was Du zu müssen glaubst, ist das, was Du willst.]

Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1830-1916) Austrian writer
Aphorisms [Aphorismen], No. 60 (1880) [tr. Scrase/Mieder (1994)]
(Source)

(Source (German)). Alternate translation:

What you wish to do you are apt to think you ought to do.
[tr. Wister (1883)]

Carriger, Gail -- Ambush or Adore (2022)

Dave — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:14:13 +0000

There are as many forms of fun as there are ways to tie a cravat. And just like cravat knots, some entertainments are quite subtle and others quite vulgar, and most are a matter of personal taste unfortunately foisted upon the world.

Gail Carriger (b. 1976) American archaeologist, author [pen name of Tofa Borregaard]
Ambush or Adore (2022)

Martin, Judith -- “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1986-01-19)

Dave — Mon, 26 May 2025 18:22:16 +0000

Should you happen to notice that another person is extremely tall or overweight, eats too much or declines convivial drinks, has red hair or goes about in a wheelchair, ought to get married or ought not to be pregnant — see if you can refrain from bringing these astonishing observations to that person’s attention.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
“Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1986-01-19)
(Source)

Martin, Judith -- “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1986-01-19)

Dave — Mon, 19 May 2025 17:24:24 +0000

Since the invention of the mirror, everyone knows what he or she looks like and does not find it helpful or enjoyable to have oddities or deficiencies — according to someone else’s standards and tastes — pointed out. And every adult assumes the right of making his or her own decisions about eating, drinking, mating and reproducing, and finds being monitored and instructed — again according to someone else’s preferences — distasteful.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
“Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1986-01-19)
(Source)

Rogers, Will -- Column (1935-02-19), “Daily Telegram: Mr. Rogers Saw Warning in the Decision on Gold”

Dave — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 20:25:49 +0000

Quite a few of the editorials have shown what the court ought to have done. We are always saying let the law take its course but what we really mean is “Let the law take our course.”

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1935-02-19), “Daily Telegram: Mr. Rogers Saw Warning in the Decision on Gold”
(Source)

Referring to the Supreme Court "Gold Clause" cases, particularly Perry v. U.S., which allowed the federal government to not pay its debts in gold.

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 15 (1725)

Dave — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 16:20:17 +0000

Of two Evils, always chuse the least.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 15 (1725)
(Source)

See Cicero, Thomas à Kempis, Spinoza.

Moliere -- Le Misanthrope, Act 1, sc. 1 (1666) [tr. Wilbur (1954)]

Dave — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 14:51:45 +0000

ALCESTE: Esteem is founded on comparison:
To honor all men is to honor none.

[Sur quelque préférence une estime se fonde,
Et c’est n’estimer rien qu’estimer tout le monde.]

Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
Le Misanthrope, Act 1, sc. 1 (1666) [tr. Wilbur (1954)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

Preference must be based on esteem, and to esteem every one is to esteem no one.
[tr. Van Laun (1878)]

Esteem must be founded on some preference, and to esteem all the world is to esteem no one.
[tr. Mathew (1890)]

Esteem is based on preference; to esteem the whole world alike is to feel no esteem for anyone.
[tr. Wormeley (1894)]

Preference is based on esteem, and to esteem every one is not to esteem anyone.
[tr. Waller (1903)]

Real love must rest upon some preference;
You might as well love none, as everybody.
[tr. Page (1913)]

But true esteem is based on preference;
Esteeming everyone, you esteem nothing.
[tr. Bishop (1957)]

Esteem, if it be real, means preference,
And when bestowed on all it makes no sense.
[tr. Frame (1967)]

On some preference esteem is based; to esteem everything is to esteem nothing.
[E.g. (1968)]

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1733)

Dave — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:15:16 +0000

Mirth pleaseth some, to others ’tis offence,
Some commend plain conceit, some profound sense;
Some wish a witty Jest, some dislike that,
And most would have themselves they know not what.
Then he that would please all, and himself too,
Takes more in hand than he is like to do.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1733)
(Source)

Shaw, George Bernard -- Man and Superman, Act 2 [Straker] (1903)

Dave — Fri, 20 May 2022 17:48:00 +0000

Very nice sort of place, Oxford, I should think, for people that like that sort of place.

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish playwright and critic
Man and Superman, Act 2 [Straker] (1903)
(Source)

See Lincoln.

Fields, W. C. -- Comment to Gene Fowler

Dave — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 16:13:44 +0000

Hell, I never vote for anybody. I always vote against.

W. C. Fields (1880-1946) American entertainer [b. William Claude Dukenfield]
Comment to Gene Fowler
(Source)

Quoted in Robert Lewis Taylor, W. C. Fields, ch. 25 (1949). See also Adams.

More discussion about the origins of this quotation: I Never Vote For Anybody. I Always Vote Against – Quote Investigator.

Carroll, Lewis -- (Spurious)

Dave — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 23:51:27 +0000

You’re mad, bonkers, off your head … but I’ll tell you a secret … all of the best people are.

Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) English writer and mathematician [pseud. of Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]
(Spurious)

This is attributed on many pages as a quote from Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. No such quote exists in the book, and the word "bonkers" does not appear until the 1940s. This appears to be a paraphrase of lines from the 2010 Tim Burton adaptation of Carroll's work (screenplay by Linda Woolverton):

HATTER: Have I gone mad?
ALICE: [checking his temperature] I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.

Gershwin, Ira -- “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” Shall We Dance (1937)

Dave — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 22:17:55 +0000

You like potato and I like po-tah-to,
You like tomato and I like to-mah-to;
Potato, po-tah-to, tomato, to-mah-to —
Let’s call the whole thing off!

Ira Gershwin (1896-1983) American lyricist [b. Israel Gershowitz]
“Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” Shall We Dance (1937)
(Source)

Catiline -- Quoted in Sallust, Catiline’s War [Bellum Catilinae], 20.4 (42 BC) [tr. Rolf]

Dave — Thu, 29 May 2014 13:05:05 +0000

Agreement in likes and dislikes — this, and this only, is what constitutes true friendship.

[Nam idem velle atque idem nolle, ea demum firma amicitia est.]

Catiline (108-62 BC) Roman politician [Lucius Sergius Catilina]
Quoted in Sallust, Catiline’s War [Bellum Catilinae], 20.4 (42 BC) [tr. Rolf]

Alt. trans.: "For to like the same things and to dislike the same things, only this is a strong friendship."

Maurois, Andre -- The Art of Living [Un Art de Vivre], ch. 6 “The Art of Working” (1939) [tr. Whitall (1940)]

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

In literature, as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others.

[En littérature comme en amour, on est surpris par les choix des autres.]

André Maurois (1885-1967) French author [b. Émile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog]
The Art of Living [Un Art de Vivre], ch. 6 “The Art of Working” (1939) [tr. Whitall (1940)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Sometimes cited to the New York Times, but only because it was reprinted there in the article “Reading Matter: Some Bookish Quotes” (1963-04-14).

Mill, John Stuart -- On Liberty, ch. 2 “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” (1859)

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

He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side; if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion. The rational position for him would be suspension of judgment, and unless he contents himself with that, he is either led by authority, or adopts, like the generality of the world, the side to which he feels most inclination.

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) English philosopher and economist
On Liberty, ch. 2 “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” (1859)
(Source)

Barrie, James -- Speech (1922-05-03), “Courage,” Rectoral Address, University of St. Andrews, Scotland

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

It is not real work unless you would rather be doing something else.

J. M. Barrie (1860-1937) Scottish novelist and dramatist [James Matthew Barrie]
Speech (1922-05-03), “Courage,” Rectoral Address, University of St. Andrews, Scotland
(Source)

Sometimes given as, "Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else." See Twain.

Bacon, Francis -- Instauratio Magna [The Great Instauration], Part 2 “Novum Organum [The New Organon],” Book 1, Aphorism # 49 (1620) [tr. Silverthorne (2000)]

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

Man prefers to believe what he wants to be true. He rejects what is difficult because he is too impatient to make the investigation; he rejects sensible ideas, because they limit his hopes; he rejects the deeper truths of nature because of superstition; he rejects the light of experience, because he is arrogant and fastidious, believing that the mind should not be seen to be spending its time on mean, unstable things; and he rejects anything unorthodox because of common opinion. In short, emotion marks and stains the understanding in countless ways which are sometimes impossible to perceive.

[Quod enim mavult homo verum esse, id potius credit. Rejicit itaque difficilia, ob inquirendi impatientiam; sobria, quia coarctant spem; altiora naturae, propter superstitionem; lumen experientiae, propter arrogantiam et fastum, ne videatur mens versari in vilibus et fluxis; paradoxa, propter opinionem vulgi; denique innumeris modis, iisque interdum imperceptibilibus, affectus intellectum imbuit et inficit.]

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) English philosopher, scientist, author, statesman
Instauratio Magna [The Great Instauration], Part 2 “Novum Organum [The New Organon],” Book 1, Aphorism # 49 (1620) [tr. Silverthorne (2000)]
(Source)

See Demosthenes.

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

For man always believes more readily that which he prefers. He, therefore, rejects difficulties for want of patience in investigation; sobriety, because it limits his hope; the depths of nature, from superstition; the light of experiment, from arrogance and pride, lest his mind should appear to be occupied with common and varying objects; paradoxes, from a fear of the opinion of the vulgar; in short, his feelings imbue and corrupt his understanding in innumerable and sometimes imperceptible ways.
[tr. Wood (1831)]

For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride, lest his mind should seem to be occupied with things mean and transitory; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which the affections colour and infect the understanding.
[tr. Spedding (1858)]

For man more readily believes what he wishes to be true. And so it rejects difficult things, from impatience of inquiry; -- sober things, because they narrow hope; -- the deeper thigns of Nature, from superstition; -- the light of experience, from arrogance and disdain, lest the mind should seem to be occupied with worthless and changing matters; -- paradoxes, from a fear of the opinion of the vulgar: -- in short, the affections enter and corrupt the intellect in innumerable ways, and these sometimes imperceptible.
[tr. Johnson (1859)]

For a man is more likely to believe something if he would like it to be true. Therefore he rejects

difficult things because he hasn’t the patience to research them,

sober and prudent things because they narrow hope,

the deeper things of nature, from superstition,

the light that experiments can cast, from arrogance and pride (not wanting people to think his mind was occupied with trivial things),

surprising truths, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar.
In short, there are countless ways in which, sometimes imperceptibly, a person’s likings colour and infect his intellect.
[tr. Bennett (2017)]

Adams, John -- Speech (1770-12-04), “Argument in Defence of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials”

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

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Speech (1770-12-04), “Argument in Defence of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials”
(Source)

Lincoln, Abraham -- (Attributed)

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

People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861-65)
(Attributed)

One of the earliest references to something like this was in an 1863 newspaper ad for Lincoln’s favorite humorist, Artemus Ward, that included this faux testimonial (possibly written by Ward): “I have never heard any of your lectures, but from what I can learn I should say that for people who like the kind of lectures you deliver, they are just the kind of lectures such people like. Yours respectfully, O. Abe.”

Quoted in G.W.E. Russell, Collections and Recollections, ch. 30 (1898), regarding “an unreadably sentimental book.”

According to Anthony Gross, Lincoln’s Own Stories (1902), Lincoln’s was speaking to Robert Dale Owen, who had insisted on reading to Lincoln a long manuscript on spiritualism. "Well, for those who like that sort of thing, I should think it is just about the sort of thing they would like."

In Emanual Hertz, ed., "Father Abraham," Lincoln Talks: A Biography in Anecdote (1939), the response was to a young poet asking him about his newly published poems.

More discussion of this quotation: Ralph Keyes, The Quote Verifier.

Maugham, W. Somerset -- (Attributed)

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

My own belief is that there is hardly anyone whose sexual life, if it were broadcast, would not fill the world at large with surprise and horror.

W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) English novelist and playwright [William Somerset Maugham]
(Attributed)