WIST Quotations

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Deny,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-02-17)

Dave — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:35:54 +0000

DENY, v.t. See Hurl Back The Allegation.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Deny,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-02-17)
(Source)

Not collected in later books.

Billings, Josh -- Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1874-11 (1874 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:16:01 +0000

He who suspekts everyboddy, should be watched by everyboddy.

[He who suspects everybody should be watched by everybody.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1874-11 (1874 ed.)
(Source)

See Johnson (1763).

In his 1879 Allminax (April), Billings provided a similar adage:

Whenever yu cum akrost a man who distrusts everyboddy, yu have found one whom it is safe for everyboddy to distrust.

[Whenever you come across a man who distrusts everybody, you have found one whom it is safe for everybody to distrust.]

Ingersoll, Robert Green -- Lecture (1872-01-29), “The Gods,” Fairbury Hall, Fairbury, Illinois

Dave — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 22:03:38 +0000

Nothing can be plainer than that each nation gives to its god its peculiar characteristics, and that every individual gives to his god his personal peculiarities.

Robert Green Ingersoll (1833–1899) American lawyer, freethinker, orator
Lecture (1872-01-29), “The Gods,” Fairbury Hall, Fairbury, Illinois
(Source)

First given on the 135th birthday of Thomas Paine. Collected in The Gods and Other Lectures (1876). See Voltaire.

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 1989 (1727)

Dave — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:50:58 +0000

If thou trustest every one, thou wilt be known to be a Fool; if thou trustest none, thou wilt be suspected to be a Knave.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 1989 (1727)
(Source)

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Piety,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

Dave — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:18:33 +0000

PIETY, n. Reverence for the Supreme Being, based upon His supposed resemblance to man.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Piety,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)

See Voltaire.

Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1905-01-27) and the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner (1905-02-05).

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 2 (1963)

Dave — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:40:43 +0000

We tell our children things which we know are not so, but which we wish were so.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913–1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 2 (1963)
(Source)

Bester, Alfred -- “Galatea Galante,” Omni (1979-04-07)

Dave — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 22:17:33 +0000

You know the simple psychological truth, Charles; we’re always accusing others of our own flaws.

Alfred Bester (1913–1987) American author, screenwriter, editor
“Galatea Galante,” Omni (1979-04-07)
(Source)

Selden, John -- Table Talk, § 65 “God’s Judgments” (1689)

Dave — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 22:12:50 +0000

Commonly we say a [divine] judgment falls upon a man for something in him we cannot abide. An example we have in King James, concerning the death of Henry the IVth of France; one said he was killed for his wenching, another said he was killed for turning his religion. No, says King James, (who could not abide fighting) he was killed for permitting duels in his kingdom.

John Selden (1584–1654) English jurist, legal scholar, antiquarian, polymath
Table Talk, § 65 “God’s Judgments” (1689)
(Source)

Milne, A. A. -- House at Pooh Corner, ch. 4 “Tiggers Don’t Climb Trees” (1928)

Dave — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 15:09:05 +0000

Piglet took Pooh’s arm, in case Pooh was frightened.

A. A. Milne (1882–1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
House at Pooh Corner, ch. 4 “Tiggers Don’t Climb Trees” (1928)
(Source)

Kettering, Charles F. -- “250 at Luncheon Honor Kettering,” New York Times (1936-11-11)

Dave — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:24:39 +0000

When we look forward and try to project what may come out of a development, we are always wrong, because the by-products sometimes become far more important than the primary thing you started out to accomplish. Nevertheless, unintelligent motion is a great deal more important in research than intelligent standing still.

Charles F. Kettering (1876–1958) American inventor, engineer, researcher, businessman
“250 at Luncheon Honor Kettering,” New York Times (1936-11-11)
(Source)

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Accuse,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)

Dave — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:19:32 +0000

ACCUSE, v.t. To affirm another’s guilt or unworth; most commonly as a justification of ourselves for having wronged him.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Accuse,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)

Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911).

Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column, New York American (1904-07-09) and the "Cynic's Dictionary" column, San Francisco Examiner (1904-07-17).

Monroe, Marilyn -- My Story, ch. 24 “Another Love Affair Ends” (1974) [with Ben Hecht]

Dave — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 17:05:40 +0000

The truth is I’ve never fooled anyone. I’ve let men sometimes fool themselves. Men sometimes didn’t bother to find out who and what I was. Instead they would invent a character for me. I wouldn’t argue with them. They were obviously loving somebody I wasn’t. When they found this out, they would blame me for disillusioning them — and fooling them.

Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) American actress, sex symbol
My Story, ch. 24 “Another Love Affair Ends” (1974) [with Ben Hecht]
(Source)

Wilbur, Richard -- “Walking to Sleep” (1967)

Dave — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 19:37:16 +0000

Try to remember this: what you project
Is what you will perceive; what you perceive
With any passion, be it love or terror,
May take on whims and powers of its own.

Richard Wilbur (1921–2017) American poet, literary translator
“Walking to Sleep” (1967)
(Source)

Published in <>The New Yorker (23 Dec 1967).

Holland, Barbara -- The Name of the Cat, ch. 3 (1988)

Dave — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:45:27 +0000

People who hate cats tend to be proud of the fact, and brag about it as if it proved something honest and straightforward in their natures. Nobody brags about hating dogs. To hate dogs would be meanspirited and peculiarly unpatriotic; dogs are a very American concept, fraternal, hearty, and unpretentious, while cats are inscrutable like the wily Oriental and elitist like the European esthete. In advertising cats turn up selling perfume (wily) and expensive rugs and furniture (elitist) , while dogs sell such solid family values as station wagons, life insurance, and sporting goods.

Barbara Holland (1933–2010) American author
The Name of the Cat, ch. 3 (1988)
(Source)

Helps, Arthur -- Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd (1835)

Dave — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:58:45 +0000

It is an error to suppose that no man understands his own character. Most persons know even their failings very well, only they persist in giving them names different from those usually assigned by the rest of the world; and they compensate for this mistake by naming, at first sight, with singular accuracy, those very same failings in others.

Arthur Helps (1813–1875) English writer and bureaucrat
Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd (1835)
(Source)

Richardson, James -- Vectors: Aphorisms and Ten-Second Essays, #195 (2001)

Dave — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 16:56:37 +0000

The best way to know our faults is to notice which ones you accuse others of.

James Richardson (b. 1950) American poet
Vectors: Aphorisms and Ten-Second Essays, #195 (2001)
(Source)

Toffler, Alvin -- Future Shock (1970)

Dave — Mon, 24 May 2021 21:16:04 +0000

Combining rational intelligence with all the imagination we can command, let us project ourselves forcefully into the future. In doing so, let us not fear occasional error — the imagination is only free when fear of error is temporarily laid aside. Moreover, in thinking about the future, it is better to err on the side of daring, than the side of caution.

Alvin Toffler (1928–2016) American writer and futurist
Future Shock (1970)
(Source)

Bowen, Elizabeth -- Stories by Elizabeth Bowen, Preface (1959)

Dave — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 18:37:25 +0000

To return to the matter of the persona, I repeat that one cannot wholly eliminate oneself for a second, and also sufficient, reason: any fiction (and surely poetry too?) is bound to be transposed autobiography. (True, it may be this at so many removes as to defeat recognition.) I can, and indeed if i would not I still must, relate any and every story I have written to something that happened to me in my own life. But here I am speaking of happenings in a broad sense — to behold and react, is where I am concerned a happening; speculations, unaccountable stirs of interest, longings, attractions, apprehensions without knowable cause — these are happenings, also.

Elizabeth Bowen (1899–1973) Irish author
Stories by Elizabeth Bowen, Preface (1959)
(Source)

McCarthy, Mary -- “American Realist Playwrights,” On the Contrary (1961)

Dave — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 22:24:41 +0000

A politician or political thinker who calls himself a political realist is usually boasting that he sees politics, so to speak, in the raw; he is generally a proclaimed cynic and pessimist who makes it his business to look behind words and fine speeches for the motive. This motive is always low.

Mary McCarthy (1912–1989) American author, critic, political activist
“American Realist Playwrights,” On the Contrary (1961)
(Source)

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Essay (1860), “Worship,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 6

Dave — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 23:02:22 +0000

People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character. We can only see what we are, and if we misbehave we suspect others.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Essay (1860), “Worship,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 6
(Source)

Based on a course of lectures, "The Conduct of Life," delivered in Pittsburg (1851-03).

Hare, Julius -- Guesses at Truth: First Series (1827) [with A. W. Hare]

Dave — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 01:35:15 +0000

A man prone to suspect evil is most looking for in his neighbor what he sees in himself.

Julius Hare (1795–1855) English cleric, theologian
Guesses at Truth: First Series (1827) [with A. W. Hare]

Howe, Edgar Watson -- Country Town Sayings (1911)

Dave — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 01:54:37 +0000

A thief believes everybody steals.

Edgar Watson "Ed" Howe (1853–1937) American journalist and author [E. W. Howe]
Country Town Sayings (1911)

Lincoln, Abraham -- Speech (1839-12-26), “The Sub-Treasury,” Illinois House of Representatives, Springfield

Dave — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 14:32:38 +0000

We know nothing of what will happen in future, but by the analogy of experience.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
Speech (1839-12-26), “The Sub-Treasury,” Illinois House of Representatives, Springfield
(Source)

Tolkien, J.R.R. -- The Lord of the Rings, Vol. 2: The Two Towers, Book 3, ch. 10 “The Voice of Saruman” [Gandalf] (1954)

Dave — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:16:09 +0000

The treacherous are ever distrustful.

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973) English writer, fabulist, philologist, academic [John Ronald Reuel Tolkien]
The Lord of the Rings, Vol. 2: The Two Towers, Book 3, ch. 10 “The Voice of Saruman” [Gandalf] (1954)
(Source)

Hoffer, Eric -- True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 100 (3.14.100) (1951)

Dave — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:21:45 +0000

Self-contempt, however vague, sharpens our eyes for the imperfections of others. We usually strive to reveal in others the blemishes we hide in ourselves.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 100 (3.14.100) (1951)
(Source)

Hoffer, Eric -- True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 100 (1951)

Dave — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:20:45 +0000

The awareness of their individual blemishes and shortcomings inclines the frustrated to detect ill will and meanness in their fellow men. Self-contempt, however vague, sharpens our eyes for the imperfections of others. We usually strive to reveal in others the blemishes we hide in ourselves.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 100 (1951)
(Source)

Lamott, Anne -- Bird by Bird (1995)

Dave — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 22:50:17 +0000

You can safely assume that you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.

Anne Lamott (b. 1954) American novelist and non-fiction writer
Bird by Bird (1995)

She attributes the quote to "my priest friend Tom"

Anthony, Susan B. -- Address to National American Woman Suffrage Association, Washington (23-28 Jan 1896)

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

The religious persecution of the ages has been done under what was claimed to be the command of God. I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice that it always coincides with their own desires.

Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) American reformer, aboltionist, sufferagist
Address to National American Woman Suffrage Association, Washington (23-28 Jan 1896)
(Source)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 222 (1955)

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

You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 222 (1955)
(Source)