WIST Quotations

Talmud -- Babylonian Talmud, Bava Kamma 92b

Dave — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:38:46 +0000

The wine is the Master’s, but the guests are grateful to the butler.

לשקייה טיבותא למריה חמר /
חַמְרָא לְמָרֵיהּ, טֵיבוּתָא לְשָׁקְיֵיהּ

The Talmud (AD 200-500) Collection of Jewish rabbinical writings
Babylonian Talmud, Bava Kamma 92b

Aramaic Proverb.

(Source (Hebrew)).

The wine is the master's, but those who drink the wine are grateful to the butler.
[Theosophical Review, Vol. 26, No. 155 (1900-07-15)]

The wine is the master’s, but the serving-man is thanked for it.
[tr. Source (1906)]

The wine is the master's the thanks the butler's.
[tr. Hasas (1929)]

The wine is the master's, but the gratitude is the pourer's.
[tr. Pomeranz (2016)]

The wine is the master's, but the appreciation goes to the one who poured it.
[tr. Shachter]

While the wine belongs to its owner, the gratitude is given to the one who pours it.
[tr. Koren-Steinsaltz]

The wine is the master’s, but the gratitude is the pourer’s.
[Sefaria Community]

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth -- “Table-Talk,” Driftwood (1857)

Dave — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:27:37 +0000

As turning the logs will make a dull fire burn, so change of studies a dull brain.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) American poet
“Table-Talk,” Driftwood (1857)
(Source)

Child, Lydia Maria -- Looking Toward Sunset (1874, 10th ed.)

Dave — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 03:33:50 +0000

You find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make earnest efforts to confer that pleasure on others? You will find half the battle is gained, if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.

Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) American abolitionist, activist, journalist, suffragist
Looking Toward Sunset (1874, 10th ed.)

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- “Progress of Culture,” Letters and Social Aims (1876)

Dave — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:47:31 +0000

How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
“Progress of Culture,” Letters and Social Aims (1876)