WIST Quotations

Addison, Joseph -- Essay (1713-07-04), The Guardian, No. 99

Dave — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:28:10 +0000

Whatever passion enters into a sentence or decision, so far will there be in it a tincture of injustice.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1713-07-04), The Guardian, No. 99
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- Richard II, Act 1, sc. 3, l. 218ff (1.3.218-220) (1595)

Dave — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:54:15 +0000

BOLINGBROKE: How long a time lies in one little word!
Four lagging winters and four wanton springs
End in a word; such is the breath of kings.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Richard II, Act 1, sc. 3, l. 218ff (1.3.218-220) (1595)
(Source)

After King Richard casually reduces his banishment of Bolingbroke from ten years to six.

Rogers, Will -- Column (1927-11-08), “Daily Telegram: Will Rogers Has An Idea About Terms for Governors” [No. 405]

Dave — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 18:25:05 +0000

Well, here in California, people were thinking and voting on whether to keep a governor four years or eight. I think a good, honest governor should get four years, and the others life!

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1927-11-08), “Daily Telegram: Will Rogers Has An Idea About Terms for Governors” [No. 405]
(Source)

Steele, Richard -- Essay (1709-07-14), The Tatler, No. 29

Dave — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 17:19:34 +0000

It’s a particular Observation I have always made, That of all Mortals, a Critick is the silliest; for by inuring himself to examine all Things, whether they are of Consequence or not, he never looks upon any Thing but with a Design of passing Sentence upon it; by which Means, he is never a Companion, but always a Censor. This makes him earnest upon Trifles; and dispute on the most indifferent Occasions with vehemence.

Richard Steele (1672-1729) Anglo-Irish writer, journalist, playwright, politician
Essay (1709-07-14), The Tatler, No. 29
(Source)

Straczynski, J. Michael "Joe" -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated, “A Quote by JMS” (31 Jan 2008)

Dave — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:49:43 +0000

The more important the emotion is, the fewer words required to express it:
Will you go out with me?
I think I like you.
I care for you.
I love you.
Marry me.
Goodbye.

J. Michael (Joe) Straczynski (b. 1954) American screenwriter, producer, author [a/k/a "JMS"]
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated, “A Quote by JMS” (31 Jan 2008)
(Source)

Straczynski is quoting something he'd previously written on the death of Andreas Katsulas (Feb 2006). A variant of the quote can be found as a sig line at least as far back as Sep 2007:

I had this theory that the more important and intimate the emotion, the fewer words are required to express it.

First it's in dating: "Will you go out with me?" Six words.
"Honey, I care for you." Five words.
"You matter to me." Four words.
"I love you." Three words.
"Marry me." Two words.

But what's left? What's the one most important and intimate word you can ever say to somebody?

It's "goodbye."