WIST Quotations

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 5 (1963)

Dave — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:06:59 +0000

In life, as in restaurants, we swallow a lot of indigestible stuff just because it comes with the dinner.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 5 (1963)
(Source)

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 3, ch. 23 (3.23) / sec. 57 (45 BC) [tr. Yonge (1853)]

Dave — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:43:47 +0000

All things are tolerable which others have borne and are bearing.

[Sed significat tolerabilia esse, quae et tulerint et ferant ceteri.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 3, ch. 23 (3.23) / sec. 57 (45 BC) [tr. Yonge (1853)]
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

"Those things are in themselves tolerable, which others have born, and do bear." [tr. Wase (1643)]
"All things are tolerable which others have borne and can bear." [tr. Main (1824)]
"What others have endured and endure must be tolerable." [tr. Otis (1839)]
"Things are tolerable which others have borne and are bearing." [tr. Peabody (1886)]
"The circumstances at hand are indeed tolerable, since others have tolerated them and continue to do so." [tr. Graver (2002)]

FitzGerald, Edward -- Letter to W. F. Pollock (7 Dec 1869)

Dave — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 00:45:50 +0000

Leave well — even “pretty well” — alone: that is what I learn as I get old.

Edward FitzGerald (1809-1883) English writer, poet, translator
Letter to W. F. Pollock (7 Dec 1869)
(Source)

~Other -- Steve Gruenert and Todd Whitaker, School Culture Rewired, ch. 3 (2015)

Dave — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:58:50 +0000

The culture of any organization is shaped by the worst behavior the leader is willing to tolerate.

(Other Authors and Sources)
Steve Gruenert and Todd Whitaker, School Culture Rewired, ch. 3 (2015)
(Source)

Often misattributed as "Gruenter and Whitaker".

Carlyle, Thomas -- Sartor Resartus, Book 2, ch. 7 (1834)

Dave — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 13:55:51 +0000

With Stupidity and sound Digestion man may front much.

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) Scottish essayist and historian
Sartor Resartus, Book 2, ch. 7 (1834)
(Source)

Quoting Herr Teufelsdröckh.

This chapter first appeared in Fraser's Magazine for Town and Country, Vol. 9, No. 51 (1834-03) - Book 2, ch. 5-7.

Jefferson, Thomas -- Document (1776-07-02), “Declaration of Independence”

Dave — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:36:24 +0000

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Document (1776-07-02), “Declaration of Independence”
(Source)

As modified and approved by the Continental Congress. Jefferson's "original rough draft" is very similar:

Prudence indeed will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light & transient causes: and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. but when a long train of abuses & usurpations, begun at a distinguished period, & pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to subject them to arbitrary power, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government & to provide new guards for their future security.

In that draft, the word "subject" was changed to "reduce." The phrase "to arbitrary power" was changed by Jefferson in following drafts to "under absolute power," and then edited by Benjamin Franklin to "under absolute Despotism," which was the final form it took.