WIST Quotations

Von Clausewitz, Karl -- On War [Vom Kriege], Book 1, ch. 3 “On Military Genius [Der Kriegerische Genius],” (1.3) (1832) [tr. Howard & Paret (1976)]

Dave — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:39:04 +0000

We would therefore argue that strength of character turns to obstinacy as soon as a man resists another point of view, not from some superior insight or attachment to some higher principle, but because he objects instinctively.

[Wir sagen also: die Charakterstärke wird zum Eigensinn, sobald das Widerstreben gegen fremde Einsicht nicht aus besserer Überzeugung, nicht aus Vertrauen auf einen höheren Grundsatz, sondern aus einem widerstrebenden Gefühl entsteht.]

Karl von Clausewitz (1780–1831) Prussian soldier, historian, military theorist
On War [Vom Kriege], Book 1, ch. 3 “On Military Genius [Der Kriegerische Genius],” (1.3) (1832) [tr. Howard & Paret (1976)]
(Source)

(Source (German)). Other translations:

We say therefore, force of character degenerates into obstinacy whenever the resistance to opposing judgment proceeds not from better convictions or a reliance upon a more trustworthy maxim, but from a feeling of opposition.
[tr. Graham (1873)]

We say, therefore, strength of character becomes obstinacy as soon as resistance to an opposing judgment proceeds not from a better conviction or reliance upon a higher principle, but from a feeling of opposition.
[tr. Jolles (1943)]

MacLean, Alistair -- Ice Station Zebra, Screenplay (1968) [with Douglas Heyes, Harry Julian Fink, W.R. Burnett]

Dave — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 23:16:04 +0000

JONES: Woke me out of a rotten sleep. Asinine reflex. Idiotic. Endless apologies.

Alistair MacLean (1922–1987) Scottish novelist (pen name Ian Stuart)
Ice Station Zebra, Screenplay (1968) [with Douglas Heyes, Harry Julian Fink, W.R. Burnett]
(Source)

Apology by British agent "David Jones" after he nearly shoots a sailor who awakens him. The screenplay was loosely based upon MacLean's 1963 novel of the same name; these lines do not appear there.

Bovee, Christian Nestell -- Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 2 (1862)

Dave — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 15:31:03 +0000

Much misconstruction of character arises out of our habit of assigning a motive for every action — whereas a good many of our acts are performed without any motive.

Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 2 (1862)
(Source)

Kennedy, Florynce -- “Institutionalized Oppression vs. the Female” (1970)

Dave — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 00:28:45 +0000

Oppressed people are frequently very oppressive when first liberated. And why wouldn’t they be? They know best two positions. Somebody’s foot on their neck or their foot on somebody’s neck.

Florynce "Flo" Kennedy (1916–2000) American lawyer, feminist, civil rights activist
“Institutionalized Oppression vs. the Female” (1970)

Auden, W. H. -- “Shorts,” No. 7 (c. 1930), Collected Poems, Part 2 “1927-1932” (1976 ed.) [ed. Mendelson]

Dave — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 12:48:07 +0000

Those who will not reason
Perish in the act:
Those who will not act
Perish for that reason.

W. H. Auden (1907–1973) Anglo-American poet [Wystan Hugh Auden]
“Shorts,” No. 7 (c. 1930), Collected Poems, Part 2 “1927-1932” (1976 ed.) [ed. Mendelson]
(Source)

Orwell, George -- Nineteen Eighty-Four, Part 1, ch. 5 [Symes] (1949)

Dave — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:42:01 +0000

Orthodoxy means not thinking — not needing to think. Orthdoxy is unconsciousness.

George Orwell (1903–1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Nineteen Eighty-Four, Part 1, ch. 5 [Symes] (1949)
(Source)