WIST Quotations

Twain, Mark -- Novel (1889), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Preface

Dave — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:30:36 +0000

The question as to whether there is such a thing as divine right of kings is not settled in this book. It was found too difficult. That the executive head of a nation should be a person of lofty character and extraordinary ability, was manifest and indisputable; that none but the Deity could select that head unerringly, was also manifest and indisputable; that the Deity ought to make that selection, then, was likewise manifest and indisputable; consequently, that He does make it, as claimed, was an unavoidable deduction. I mean, until the author of this book encountered the Pompadour, and Lady Castlemaine, and some other executive heads of that kind; these were found so difficult to work into the scheme, that it was judged better to take the other tack in this book (which must be issued this fall), and then go into training and settle the question in another book. It is, of course, a thing which ought to be settled, and I am not going to have anything particular to do next winter anyway.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Novel (1889), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Preface
(Source)

Jerome, Jerome K. -- Idler Magazine, “The Idler’s Club” column (1892-02)

Dave — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 18:27:04 +0000

Yes, it is always the best policy to speak the truth — unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.

Jerome K. Jerome (1859–1927) English writer, humorist [Jerome Klapka Jerome]
Idler Magazine, “The Idler’s Club” column (1892-02)
(Source)

Martin, Judith -- Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 2 “Intermediate Civilization,” “Procedure” (1983)

Dave — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:06:21 +0000

Miss Manners doubts that there is anything in the world like an elegantly dressed Bostonian lurching across the room and diving face first into a bowl of guacamole dip while simultaneously disengaging her bodice from her bosom. Therefore, Miss Manners has a wee bit of trouble preparing a general rule for dealing with this eventuality.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 2 “Intermediate Civilization,” “Procedure” (1983)
(Source)

Zunger, Yonatan -- “Tolerance is not a moral precept” (2 Jun 2017)

Dave — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 01:50:33 +0000

Tolerance is not a moral absolute; it is a peace treaty.

Yonatan Zunger (b. 1977) American essayist, software engineer, physicist, ethicist
“Tolerance is not a moral precept” (2 Jun 2017)
(Source)

Guiterman, Arthur -- “Of Duty” (1924)

Dave — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:50:56 +0000

When “Do no Evil” has been understood,
Then learn the harder, braver rule, “Do Good.”

Arthur Guiterman (1871–1943) American poet, humorist
“Of Duty” (1924)

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1938-07-08), Northwest Territory Sesquicentennial, Muskingum Park, Marietta, Ohio

Dave — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 14:53:33 +0000

Let us not be afraid to help each other — let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and Senators and Congressmen and Government officials but the voters of this country.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman; US President (1933–45)
Speech (1938-07-08), Northwest Territory Sesquicentennial, Muskingum Park, Marietta, Ohio
(Source)

Lorimer, George Horace -- Old Gorgon Graham: More Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son, ch. 3 (1903)

Dave — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:42:56 +0000

Some men think that rules should be made of cast iron; I believe they should be made of rubber, so they can be stretched to fit any particular case and then spring back into shape again. The really important part of a rule is the exception to it.

George Horace Lorimer (1867–1937) American journalist, author, magazine editor
Old Gorgon Graham: More Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son, ch. 3 (1903)
(Source)

Aesop -- Fables [Aesopica], “The Two Crabs” (6th C BC) [tr. Jacobs (1894)]

Dave — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:42:48 +0000

Example is the best precept.

Aesop (620?-560? BC) Legendary Greek storyteller
Fables [Aesopica], “The Two Crabs” (6th C BC) [tr. Jacobs (1894)]
(Source)

Other translation: "Example is better than precept." [tr. James (1848), "The Crab and Her Mother"]
Townsend (1887), "The Crab and Its Mother"]

Wesley, John -- Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” 1.11

Dave — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:03:07 +0000

My own belief is no rule for another.

John Wesley (1703–1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” 1.11
(Source)

Johnson, Samuel -- The Rambler, #175 (19 Nov 1751)

Dave — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:50:10 +0000

But, perhaps, the excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare and abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some obvious and useful truths in a few words. We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of actions are not not known, but because, for a time, they are not remembered; and he may, therefore, be justly numbered among the benefactors of mankind, who contracts the great rules of life into short sentences, that may be easily impressed on the memory, and taught by frequent recollection to recur habitually to the mind.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #175 (19 Nov 1751)
(Source)

Adams, John -- Essay (1775-03-06), “Novanglus,” No. 7, Boston Gazette

Dave — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:35:57 +0000

For metaphysicians and politicians may dispute forever, but they will never find any other moral principle or foundation of rule or obedience, than the consent of governors and governed.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Essay (1775-03-06), “Novanglus,” No. 7, Boston Gazette
(Source)

This series of essays was written by Adams under the pseudonym of "Novanglus" (Latin for "New England"), responding to essays from his past friend Daniel Leonard as "Massachusettensis" on colonial leadership and what the proper relationship was between the American colonies and Britain.

Barrie, James -- The Little White Bird, ch. 4 “A Night-Piece,” Scribner’s Magazine, Vol. 32 (1902-08)

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

Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?

J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish novelist and dramatist [James Matthew Barrie]
The Little White Bird, ch. 4 “A Night-Piece,” Scribner’s Magazine, Vol. 32 (1902-08)
(Source)

This portion of the serial is in ch. 4 of the fully collected novel (1902).

Talmud -- Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a (Rabbi Hillel)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 18:00:00 +0000

What is hateful to you, do not to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and study it.

[d’`alakh sani l’khaverkha la ta`avid. Zo hi kol hatora kulahh, v’idakh peirusha hu: zil g’mor]

The Talmud (AD 200–500) Collection of Jewish rabbinical writings
Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a (Rabbi Hillel)

(Noted elsewhere as tractate Shabbat 30a.) See also the Bible, Matthew 7:12. Alt. Trans.: "What is hateful to thee, do not unto thy fellow; this is the whole law. All the rest is a commentary to this law; go and learn it."