WIST Quotations

Ivins, Molly -- Interview (2006-10-09), “Who’s It Screw, and Who’s Doing the Screwing?” by Rosalind Alexander, Seattle Weekly

Dave — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:45:23 +0000

We forget that many politicians really are decent people. They don’t like being whores. They don’t like kissing people’s behinds for money. They hate this system. If you gave them a chance, they’d get rid of it.

Molly Ivins (1944–2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Interview (2006-10-09), “Who’s It Screw, and Who’s Doing the Screwing?” by Rosalind Alexander, Seattle Weekly

Molnar, Ferenc -- Quoted in George Jean Nathan, Intimate Notebooks (1932)

Dave — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 17:27:02 +0000

Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for the love of it, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for money.

Ferenc Molnár (1878–1952) Hungarian-American author, stage director, dramatist [a.k.a. Franz Molnar]
Quoted in George Jean Nathan, Intimate Notebooks (1932)

Common form of a quote often misattributed to Molière. It original version actually appears to have originated with Molnar, who, when asked how he regarded his writing, answered (according to Nathan):

Like a whore. First, I did it for my own pleasure. Then I did it for the pleasure of my friends. And now -- I do it for money.

There are many variants by different creators who have referenced the quip, sometimes causing it to be attributed to them instead. More discussion on this quotation's origins and variations: Quote Origin: I Did It For My Own Pleasure. Then I Did It For My Friends. Now I Do It For Money – Quote Investigator®.

La Follette, Suzanne -- Concerning Women (1926)

Dave — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 22:36:27 +0000

Nothing could be more grotesquely unjust than a code of morals, reinforced by laws, which relieves men from responsibility for irregular sexual acts, and for the same acts drives women to abortion, infanticide, prostitution, and self-destruction.

Suzanne La Follette (1893–1983) American journalist, author, feminist
Concerning Women (1926)

Reagan, Ronald -- Remarks, business conference, Los Angeles (2 Mar 1977)

Dave — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 17:52:31 +0000

Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

Ronald Reagan (1911–2006) US President (1981–89), politician, actor
Remarks, business conference, Los Angeles (2 Mar 1977)

Augustine of Hippo -- De Ordine, 2.4.12

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

Suppress prostitution, and capricious lusts will overthrow society.

Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Christian church father, philosopher, saint [b. Aurelius Augustinus]
De Ordine, 2.4.12

Variant translation: "If you do away with harlots, the world will be convulsed with lust."