WIST Quotations

Russell, Bertrand -- Education and the Social Order [Education and the Modern World], ch. 2 “The Negative Theory of Education” (1932)

Dave — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:44:27 +0000

Punctuality is a quality the need of which is bound up with social co-operation. It has nothing to do with the relation of the soul to God, or with mystic insight, or with any of the matters with which the more elevated and spiritual moralists are concerned. One would be surprised to find a saint getting drunk, but one would not be surprised to find him late for an engagement. And yet in the ordinary business of life punctuality is absolutely necessary.

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) English mathematician and philosopher
Education and the Social Order [Education and the Modern World], ch. 2 “The Negative Theory of Education” (1932)
(Source)

Forster, E. M. -- A Passage to India, ch. 3 (1924)

Dave — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 00:26:43 +0000

Life never gives us what we want at the moment that we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually.

E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English novelist, essayist, critic, librettist [Edward Morgan Forster]
A Passage to India, ch. 3 (1924)
(Source)

Louis XVIII -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 15 May 2017 15:02:38 +0000

Punctuality is the politeness of kings.

[L’exactitude est la politesse des rois.]

Louis XVIII (1755–1824) French monarch (1814–1824) ["Louis the Desired"]
(Attributed)

Attributed in Souvenirs de J. Lafitte (1844)

Lorimer, George Horace -- Old Gorgon Graham: More Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son, ch. 10 (1903)

Dave — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 12:41:02 +0000

Always appoint an hour at which you’ll see a man, and if he’s late a minute don’t bother with him. A fellow who can be late when his own interests are at stake is pretty sure to be when yours are.

George Horace Lorimer (1867–1937) American journalist, author, magazine editor
Old Gorgon Graham: More Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son, ch. 10 (1903)
(Source)

Burgh, James -- The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts on Prudence in Conversation” (1754)

Dave — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:49:06 +0000

Be careful of your word, even in keeping the most trifling appointment. But do not blame another for a failure of that kind till you have heard his excuse.

James Burgh (1714–1775) British politician and writer
The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts on Prudence in Conversation” (1754)
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 319 (2.2.319) (1597)

Dave — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:56:03 +0000

FORD: Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 319 (2.2.319) (1597)
(Source)