WIST Quotations

Doctor Who (1963) -- 16×03 “The Stones of Blood,” Part 3 (1978-11-11) [w. David Fisher]

Dave — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:53:43 +0000

THE DOCTOR: Now, if they should break through, run as if something very nasty were after you, because something very nasty will be after you.

Doctor Who (1963–1989) British science fiction television series, original run (BBC)
16×03 “The Stones of Blood,” Part 3 (1978-11-11) [w. David Fisher]
(Source)

(Source (Video); dialogue verified)

Shakespeare, William -- Twelfth Night, Act 1, sc. 1, l. 20ff (1.1.20-24) (1601)

Dave — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:17:18 +0000

ORSINO: O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Methought she purged the air of pestilence.
That instant was I turned into a hart,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E’er since pursue me.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Twelfth Night, Act 1, sc. 1, l. 20ff (1.1.20-24) (1601)
(Source)

Greenwood, Kerry -- Phryne Fisher, Book 15, Death by Water, ch. 15 (2005)

Dave — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:11:17 +0000

When pursued by a satyr, always make sure you are caught near the softest available moss.

Kerry Greenwood (b. 1954) Australian author and lawyer
Phryne Fisher, Book 15, Death by Water, ch. 15 (2005)
(Source)

A quip Phryne recalls once making.

Bible, Vol. 1. Old Testament -- Book 20. Proverbs 28: 1 (Prov 28:1) [tr. KJV (1611)]

Dave — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:07:05 +0000

The wicked flee when no man pursueth ….

נָ֣סוּ וְאֵין־רֹדֵ֣ף רָשָׁ֑ע

The Bible (The Old Testament) (14th - 2nd C BC) Judeo-Christian sacred scripture [Tanakh, Hebrew Bible], incl. the Apocrypha (Deuterocanonicals)
Book 20. Proverbs 28: 1 (Prov 28:1) [tr. KJV (1611)]
(Source)

(Source (Hebrew)). Other translations:

The wicked man flees when no one is after him ....
[JB (1966)]

The wicked flees when no one is pursuing ....
[NJB (1985)]

The wicked run when no one is chasing them ....
[GNT (1992 ed.)]

The wicked run away even though no one pursues them ....
[CEB (2011)]

The wicked flee when no one pursues ....
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

A wicked person flees though no one gives chase ....
[RJPS (2023 ed.)]

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1737 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 16:57:26 +0000

He that pursues two Hares at once, does not catch one and lets t’other go.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1737 ed.)
(Source)

Miller, Arthur -- The Crucible, Act 1 (1953)

Dave — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:47:59 +0000

REBECCA: A child’s spirit is like a child, you cannot catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself come back.

Arthur Miller (1915–2005) American playwright and essayist
The Crucible, Act 1 (1953)
(Source)

Martial -- Epigrams [Epigrammata], Book 5, epigram 83 (5.83) (AD 90) [tr. McLean (2014)]

Dave — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 23:06:40 +0000

I flee you, Dindymus, when chased; I chase you when you flee.
It’s not your wanting me I want; it’s your not wanting me.

[Insequeris, fugio; fugis, insequor; haec mihi mens est:
Velle tuum nolo, Dindyme, nolle volo.]

Martial (AD c.39-c.103) Spanish Roman poet, satirist, epigrammatist [Marcus Valerius Martialis]
Epigrams [Epigrammata], Book 5, epigram 83 (5.83) (AD 90) [tr. McLean (2014)]
(Source)

"To Dindymus." (Source (Latin)). Other translations:

I fly, you follow; fly when I pursue:
What I love, hate; what hated, loved by you.
[tr. Wright (1663)]

You pursue, I fly; you fly, I pursue; such is my Humour. What you wish, Dindymus, I do not wish; what you do not wish, I do.
[tr. Bohn's Classical (1859)]

You pursue me, I fly; you fly, I follow. Such is your mind; your willingness I reject, Dindymus, your coyness I prize.
[tr. Ker (1919)]

Follow, and I shall flee,
Fly, I shall follow thee;
Such is the bent
Of love’s perversity;
Denial draweth me,
But not assent.
[tr. Pott & Wright (1921), "The Old Story"]

You follow, I flee; you flee, I follow.
That's the way it goes.
I hate your yesses, Dindymus,
I much prefer your noes.
[tr. Marcellino (1968)]

I run, you chase; you chase, I run.
I love what's cold: what's hot I shun.
[tr. Whigham (1987)]

You're hot to trot? Well then I'm not.
You've cooled? I'm ardent on the spot.
What's going on? Don't sulk, my pet:
I like you best as hard to get.
[tr. Matthews (1992)]

You pursue, I fly; you fly, I pursue. This is the way I am. Your wishing, Dindymus, I wish not; your wishing not I wish.
[tr. Shackleton Bailey (1993)]

You chase, I flee; you flee, I chase; it’s how I am:
what you wish I don’t, Dindymus, what you don’t I wish.
[tr. Kline (2006), "Contrary"]

I fly when you pursue me,
But when you shy, I woo thee.
Explain it to me, can't you,
Why I must ever want to want you.
[tr. Wills (2007)]

Baudelaire, Charles -- Le Spleen de Paris (Petits Poèmes en Prose), No. 48 “Any Where Out of the world” (1869) [tr. Kaplan (1989)]

Dave — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 22:13:46 +0000

This life is a hospital in which every patient is haunted by the desire to change beds. This one wants to suffer in front of the stove, and that one believes he will recover next to the window.

[Cette vie est un hôpital où chaque malade est possédé du désir de changer de lit. Celui-ci voudrait souffrir en face du poêle, et celui-là croit qu’il guérirait à côté de la fenêtre.]

Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867) French poet, essayist, art critic
Le Spleen de Paris (Petits Poèmes en Prose), No. 48 “Any Where Out of the world” (1869) [tr. Kaplan (1989)]
(Source)

The title of the original is in English, a line from Thomas Hood, "The Bridge of Sighs." It is often subtitled with the French translation, "N’importe où hors du monde," which are the final lines.

(Source (French)). Other translations:

Life is a hospital, in which every patient is possessed by the desire of changing his bed. One would prefer to suffer near the fire, and another is certain that he would get well if he were by the window.
[tr. Symons (<1919)]

This life is a hospital where every patient is possessed with the desire to change beds; one man would like to suffer in front of the stove, and another believes that he would recover his health beside the window.
[tr. Hamburger (1946)]

Life is a hospital where every patient is obsessed by the desire of changing beds. One would like to suffer opposite the stove, another is sure he would get well beside the window.
[tr. Varèse (1970)]

This life is a hospital where each patient is possessed with the desire of changing his bed. One would like to suffer in front of the stove, and another believes he would get well beside the windows.
[tr. Fowlie (1992)]

This life is a hospital, where each patient is possessed by the desire to change beds. That one prefers to suffer nearer the stove and this one believes he would get well next to the window.
[tr. Waldrop (2009)]

Dante Alighieri -- The Divine Comedy [Divina Commedia], Book 1 “Inferno,” Canto 26, l. 118ff (26.118-120) [Ulysses] (1309) [tr. Musa (1971)]

Dave — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 16:52:37 +0000

Consider what you came from: you are Greeks!
You were not born to live like mindless brutes
but to follow paths of excellence and knowledge.

[Considerate la vostra semenza:
fatti non foste a viver come bruti,
ma per seguir virtute e canoscenza.]

Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) Italian poet
The Divine Comedy [Divina Commedia], Book 1 “Inferno,” Canto 26, l. 118ff (26.118-120) [Ulysses] (1309) [tr. Musa (1971)]
(Source)

Speaking to his sailors on their final voyage, urging them to explore the unknown.

(Source (Italian)). Other translations:

On your original reflect, nor think
That you were, made, like Brutes, to only live,
But knowledge and to virtuous acts pursue.
[tr. Rogers (1782)]

Recall your glorious toils, your lofty birth.
Nor like the grov'ling herds, ally'd to earth.
No base despondence quit your lofty claim.
[tr. Boyd (1802), st. 19]

Call to mind from whence we sprang:
Ye were not form’d to live the life of brutes
But virtue to pursue and knowledge high.
[tr. Cary (1814)]

Bethink you of your birth-rank and its dues:
Ye were not thus for brutish life endued.
But Virtue's path and Learning's born to chuse.
[tr. Dayman (1843)]

Consider your origin: ye were not formed to live like brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.
[tr. Carlyle (1849)]

Consider, then, the birth from whence you sprung:
You were not made, like brutes, to live and die:
The path of virtue and of knowledge try.
[tr. Bannerman (1850)]

Consider well the seed from whence you sprung;
You were not made to live as live the beasts,
But to seek virtue and true knowledge grasp.
[tr. Johnston (1867)]

Consider ye the seed from which ye sprang;
Ye were not made to live like unto brutes,
But for pursuit of virtue and of knowledge.
[tr. Longfellow (1867)]

Consider your begetting; ye were not made to live as brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.
[tr. Butler (1885)]

Over your noble birthright ye should muse;
To live like senseless brutes ye were not made,
But knowledge to pursue and virtue use.
[tr. Minchin (1885)]

Consider ye your origin; ye were not made to live as brutes, but for pursuit of virtue and of knowledge.
[tr. Norton (1892)]

Bethink you of your birth: ye were not made to live the life of brutes, but to obey the call of valour and of knowledge.
[tr. Sullivan (1893)]

Consider ye the seed that ye are sprung from:
Ye were not made to live as the brute creatures,
But that ye virtue might pursue and knowledge.
[tr. Griffith (1908)]

Take thought of the seed from which you spring. You were not born to live as brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.
[tr. Sinclair (1939)]

Think on the seed ye spring from! Ye were made
Not to live life of brute beasts of the field
But follow virtue and knowledge unafraid.
[tr. Binyon (1943)]

Think of your breed; for brutish ignorance
Your mettle was not made; you were made men.
To follow after knowledge and excellence.
[tr. Sayers (1949)]

Greeks! You were not born to live like brutes,
but to press on toward manhood and recognition!
[tr. Ciardi (1954), l. 110]

Consider your origin: you were not made to live as brutes, but to pursue virtue and knowledge.
[tr. Singleton (1970)]

Consider well the seed that gave you birth:
you were not made to live your lives as brutes,
but to be followers of worth and knowledge.
[tr. Mandelbaum (1980)]

Consider then the race from which you have sprung:
You were not made to live like animals,
But to pursue virtue and know the world.
[tr. Sisson (1981)]

Consider well your seed:
You were not born to live as a mere brute does,
But for the pursuit of knowledge and the good.
[tr. Pinsky (1994)]

Consider your sowing: you were not made to live like brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.
[tr. Durling (1996)]

Consider your origin: you were not made to live like brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.
[tr. Kline (2002)]

Hold clear in thought your seed and origin.
You were not made to live as mindless brutes,
but go in search of virtue and true knowledge.
[tr. Kirkpatrick (2006)]

Consider how your souls were sown:
you were not made to live like brutes or beasts,
but to pursue virtue and knowledge.
[tr. Hollander/Hollander (2007)]

Think of your origins, the people you come from:
You were not made to live like wild-toothed beasts,
But for the pursuit of virtue and honest knowledge.
[tr. Raffel (2010)]

Remember now your pedigree.
You were not born to live as brutes. Virtue
And knowledge are your guiding lights.
[tr. James (2013)]

Shaw, George Bernard -- Man and Superman, Act 4 [Mendoza] (1903)

Dave — Wed, 18 May 2022 21:41:41 +0000

There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart’s desire. The other is to get it.

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish playwright and critic
Man and Superman, Act 4 [Mendoza] (1903)
(Source)

See Wilde, eleven years earlier. More discussion quote: There Are Only Two Tragedies. One Is Not Getting What One Wants, and the Other Is Getting It – Quote Investigator.

Wilde, Oscar -- Lady Windermere’s Fan, Act 3 [Dumby] (1892)

Dave — Mon, 09 May 2022 23:28:31 +0000

In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
Lady Windermere’s Fan, Act 3 [Dumby] (1892)
(Source)

More discussion of this quote: There Are Only Two Tragedies. One Is Not Getting What One Wants, and the Other Is Getting It – Quote Investigator.

Jones, Laurie Beth -- Jesus, CEO, “He Was Willing to Do an End Run” (1995)

Dave — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 19:48:52 +0000

If you believe you have a just cause, an important message, or a key contribution to make, you will be just as innovative as a college freshman desperate to see his girlfriend six hundred miles away. You will get there any way you can.

Laurie Beth Jones (b. 1952) American author, motivational speaker, leadership coach
Jesus, CEO, “He Was Willing to Do an End Run” (1995)
(Source)

Malory, Thomas -- Le Morte d’Arthur, Book 16, ch. 2 (1485)

Dave — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 19:47:27 +0000

Go we seek that we shall not find.

Thomas Malory (c. 1415–1471) English writer
Le Morte d’Arthur, Book 16, ch. 2 (1485)
(Source)

Ector to Lancelot (or vice versa) in Ector's dream. Often paraphrased/modernized to "We shall now seek that which we shall not find."

Newman, John -- The Idea of a University, Lecture 9 “Discipline of Mind,” sec. 4 (1852)

Dave — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 18:02:58 +0000

A man may hear a thousand lectures, and read a thousand volumes, and be at the end of the process very much where he was, as regards knowledge. Something more than merely admitting it in a negative way into the mind is necessary, if it is to remain there. It must not be passively received, but actually and actively entered into, embraced, mastered. The mind must go half-way to meet what comes to it from without.

John Henry Newman (1801–1890) English prelate, Catholic Cardinal, theologian
The Idea of a University, Lecture 9 “Discipline of Mind,” sec. 4 (1852)
(Source)

Kierkegaard, Soren -- Either/Or, Vol. 1 “Diapsalmata” (1843) [tr. Swenson (1959)]

Dave — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 01:43:39 +0000

Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it.

Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) Danish philosopher, theologian
Either/Or, Vol. 1 “Diapsalmata” (1843) [tr. Swenson (1959)]

Huxley, Aldous -- Essay (1943-01/02), “Religion and Time,” Vedanta and the West Magazine

Dave — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:05:53 +0000

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.

Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English novelist, essayist and critic
Essay (1943-01/02), “Religion and Time,” Vedanta and the West Magazine
(Source)

Collected in Christopher Isherwood (ed.), Vedanta for the Western World (1945)

This quotation is sometimes misattributed to Huxley's "Distractions I" essay, from the same source (and collection).

Johnson, Samuel -- Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, “Pope” (1781)

Dave — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:38:35 +0000

Those indeed who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, “Pope” (1781)
(Source)

Also known as Lives of English Poets and Lives of the Poets.

Shakespeare, William -- Winter’s Tale, Act 3, sc. 3, l. 64 (3.3.64) [Stage Direction] (1611)

Dave — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:24:26 +0000

He exits, pursued by a bear.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Winter’s Tale, Act 3, sc. 3, l. 64 (3.3.64) [Stage Direction] (1611)
(Source)

Variant: "Exit, pursued by a Bear."

Zelazny, Roger -- Trumps of Doom, ch. 9 (1985)

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

As I was finishing, I heard a crashing noise. A horned and tusked purple thing went racing along the ridge to my right pursued by a hairless orange-skinned creature with long claws and a forked tail. Both were wailing in different keys.
I nodded. It was just one damned thing after another.

Roger Zelazny (1937–1995) American writer
Trumps of Doom, ch. 9 (1985)
(Source)

See Hubbard.