WIST Quotations

Milne, A. A. -- House at Pooh Corner, ch. 7 “Tigger Is Unbounced” (1928)

Dave — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:35:33 +0000

“I don’t see much sense in that,” said Rabbit.
“No,” said Pooh humbly, “there isn’t. But there was going to be when I began it. It’s just that something happened to it on the way.”

A. A. Milne (1882–1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
House at Pooh Corner, ch. 7 “Tigger Is Unbounced” (1928)
(Source)

Twain, Mark -- More Tramps Abroad, Epigraph, ch. 23 (1897)

Dave — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 22:37:13 +0000

What are the proper proportions of a maxim? A minimum of sound to a maximum of sense.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
More Tramps Abroad, Epigraph, ch. 23 (1897)
(Source)

Leonard, Elmore -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 05:17:09 +0000

It doesn’t have to make sense, it just has to sound like it does.

Elmore Leonard (1925–2013) American novelist and screenwriter
(Attributed)

Dickens, Charles -- Great Expectations, ch 40 (1861)

Dave — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:06:24 +0000

Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There’s no better rule.

Charles Dickens (1812–1870) English writer and social critic
Great Expectations, ch 40 (1861)

Herold, Don -- So Human, “Shetland Ponies vs. Autos,” epigraph (1924)

Dave — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:27:53 +0000

There is nobody so irritating as somebody with less intelligence and more sense than we have.

Don Herold (1889–1966) American humorist, cartoonist, author
So Human, “Shetland Ponies vs. Autos,” epigraph (1924)
(Source)

Havel, Vaclav -- Speech, Salzburg Festival (26 Jul 1990)

Dave — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:57:55 +0000

Isn’t it the moment of most profound doubt that gives birth to new certainties? Perhaps hopelessness is the very soil that nourished human hope; perhaps one could never find sense in life without first experiencing its absurdity.

Václav Havel (1936–2011) Czech playwright, essayist, dissident, politician
Speech, Salzburg Festival (26 Jul 1990)
(Source)

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

Dave — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:34:01 +0000

Good Sense is a Thing all need, few have, and none think they want.

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