WIST Quotations

Stevenson, Adlai -- Speech (1965-07-09), “Strengthening the International Development Institutions,” sec. 3, United Nations Economic and Social Council, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Dave — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 19:02:01 +0000

Let’s face it: We are nowhere near conquering world poverty. None of us — neither the weak nor the strong, the poor nor the rich, the new nations nor the old — have yet taken seriously enough the contrast between the abundance of our opportunities and the scarcity of our actions to grasp them. It is good that the rich are getting richer — that is what economic development is for. But it is bad that despite our considerable efforts in the first half of this decade, the poor are still poor — and progressing more slowly than present-day society can tolerate.

Adlai Stevenson II (1900–1965) American politician, diplomat, statesman
Speech (1965-07-09), “Strengthening the International Development Institutions,” sec. 3, United Nations Economic and Social Council, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Stevenson was serving as UN Ambassador from the United States. He died of a heart attack on 1965-07-14, while in London after this trip. This was his last public address, and was read into the Congressional Record for the House of Representatives, 89th US Congress (1965-07-15) by Rep. Abraham Multer of New York.

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1746 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:00:03 +0000

When the Well’s dry, we know the Worth of Water.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1746 ed.)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1742 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:47:27 +0000

One good Husband is worth two good Wives; for the scarcer things are the more they’re valued.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1742 ed.)

Sowell, Thomas -- “Student Loans,” Is Reality Optional? (1993)

Dave — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 22:47:29 +0000

The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.

Thomas Sowell (b. 1930) American economist, economic historian, social theorist, political commentator
“Student Loans,” Is Reality Optional? (1993)

Johnson, Samuel -- The Rambler, #136 (6 Jul 1751)

Dave — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 13:21:37 +0000

Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #136 (6 Jul 1751)