WIST Quotations

Stanley, Jason -- How Propaganda Works, ch. 1 (2015)

Dave — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 15:36:06 +0000

The nature of liberal democracy prevents propagandistic statements from being banned, since among the liberties it permits is the freedom of speech. But since humans have characteristic rational weaknesses and are susceptible to flattery and manipulation, allowing propaganda has a high likelihood of leading to tyranny, and hence to the end of liberal democracy.

Jason Stanley (b. 1969) American philosopher, epistemologist, academic
How Propaganda Works, ch. 1 (2015)
(Source)

Madison, James -- The Federalist Papers, #41 (19 Jan 1788)

Dave — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:10:14 +0000

A bad cause seldom fails to betray itself.

James Madison (1751-1836) American statesman, political theorist, US President (1809-17)
The Federalist Papers, #41 (19 Jan 1788)
(Source)

Brault, Robert -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:31:08 +0000

Everything we possess that is not necessary for life or happiness becomes a burden, and scarcely a day passes that we do not add to it.

Robert Brault (b. c. 1945) American aphorist, programmer
(Attributed)

Angelou, Maya -- In Mary Chamberlain, ed., Writing Lives: Conversations Between Women Writers (1988)

Dave — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 18:26:50 +0000

Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns all clean.

Maya Angelou (1928-2014) American poet, memoirist, activist [b. Marguerite Ann Johnson]
In Mary Chamberlain, ed., Writing Lives: Conversations Between Women Writers (1988)
(Source)

Bronte, Emily -- Wuthering Heights, ch. 17 [Isabella Linton] (1847)

Dave — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 02:41:24 +0000

Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends — they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.

Emily Brontë (1818-1848) British novelist, poet [pseud. Ellis Bell]
Wuthering Heights, ch. 17 [Isabella Linton] (1847)
(Source)

Adams, John -- Letter (1814-12-17) to John Taylor

Dave — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 00:34:48 +0000

I do not say that Democracy has been more pernicious, on the whole, and in the long run, than Monarchy or Aristocracy. Democracy has never been and never can be so durable as Aristocracy or Monarchy. But while it lasts it is more bloody than either. […] Remember Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes exhausts and murders itself. There never was a Democracy Yet, that did not commit suicide.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Letter (1814-12-17) to John Taylor
(Source)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard’s Almanack (Oct 1749)

Dave — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:20:51 +0000

Nine men in ten are suicides.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Oct 1749)

Wilde, Oscar -- An Ideal Husband, Act 2 (1895)

Dave — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:59:50 +0000

When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
An Ideal Husband, Act 2 (1895)

Lamott, Anne -- Traveling Mercies, ch. 3 (1999)

Dave — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:20:06 +0000

Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.

Anne Lamott (b. 1954) American novelist and non-fiction writer
Traveling Mercies, ch. 3 (1999)

On Facebook (31 Jan 2013) she further wrote:

When I first got sober in '86, I first heard someone say that harboring resentment is like drinking rat poison, and waiting for the rat to die. Resenting someone is about not forgiving them -- thinking that they have done something to you so damaging or disgusting that the are beyond the pale; so therefore you are choosing to be toxic for the rest of your life, rather than to work and pray for the healing. You are willing to go through life not metabolizing the rat poison, so that this person should know what a morally repellent person you believe them to be. But the most horrible thing is that half the time, they aren't even AWARE of what it is you think they did to you. So it's a complete waste of your precious bile. When I am willing to have clogged bile ducts, because of a person who hardly thinks of me, or has no idea that he behaved like a total asshat, then I'm the crazy one.

Conquest, Robert -- “Conquest’s Second Law”

Dave — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:12:52 +0000

Every organization appears to be headed by secret agents of its opponents.

Robert Conquest (b. 1917) Anglo-American historian, diplomat, poet
“Conquest’s Second Law”

Attributed in Kingsley Amis, Memoirs (1991). Also known as "Conquest's Law of Organizations."

Variants:

"Every organisation behaves as if it is run by secret agents of its opponents."
"The behavior of any organization can best be predicted on the assumption that it is headed by a secret cabal of its enemies."

Fisher, Carrie -- Wishful Drinking, stage show (2009)

Dave — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:35:40 +0000

Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

Carrie Fisher (1956-2016) American actress, writer
Wishful Drinking, stage show (2009)

Sometimes quoted/given: "... feeding yourself poison ..."

This sentiment seems to a not-uncommon phrase in rehab communities. See Lamott.

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

Dave — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:30:13 +0000

An angry man is again angry with himself when he returns to reason.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings]

~Proverbs and Sayings -- Chinese proverb

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

Before you set out for revenge, be sure to dig two graves.

Proverbs, Sayings, and Adages
Chinese proverb