WIST Quotations

Milne, A. A. -- Winnie-the-Pooh, ch. 7 “Kanga and Baby Roo Come to the Forest” (1926)

Dave — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:11:37 +0000

“It is hard to be brave,” said Piglet, sniffing slightly, “when you’re only a Very Small Animal.”

A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh, ch. 7 “Kanga and Baby Roo Come to the Forest” (1926)
(Source)

Dyson, Freeman -- Infinite in All Directions, Part 1, ch. 1 “In Praise of Diversity” (1988)

Dave — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 17:16:40 +0000

An awareness of our smallness may help to redeem us from the arrogance which is the besetting sin of the scientists.

Freeman Dyson (1923-2020) English-American theoretical physicist, mathematician, futurist
Infinite in All Directions, Part 1, ch. 1 “In Praise of Diversity” (1988)
(Source)

Based on a lecture on "Science and Religion," National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Detroit (Sep 1986).

Harris, Sydney J. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 13:22:09 +0000

If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?

Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986) Anglo-American columnist, journalist, author
(Attributed)

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- De Officiis [On Duties; On Moral Duty; The Offices], Book 1, ch. 20 (1.20) / sec. 68 (44 BC) [tr. Miller (1913)]

Dave — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:58:20 +0000

For there is nothing so characteristic of narrowness and littleness of soul as the love of riches.

[Nihil enim est tam angusti animi tamque parvi quam amare divitias.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
De Officiis [On Duties; On Moral Duty; The Offices], Book 1, ch. 20 (1.20) / sec. 68 (44 BC) [tr. Miller (1913)]
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

For nothing is a greater sign of a narrow, mean, and sordid spirit, than to dote on riches.
[tr. Cockman (1699)]

For there is not a greater symptom of a narrow and little mind, than the love of wealth.
[tr. McCartney (1798)]

For nothing so truly characterizes a narrow, grovelling disposition as to love riches.
[tr. Edmonds (1865)]

For nothing shows so narrow and small a mind as the love of riches.
[tr. Peabody (1883)]

Shun the love of money, for there is no surer sign of a narrow, grovelling spirit.
[tr. Gardiner (1899)]

Nothing is as good an index of a narrow and trivial spirit as the love of wealth.
[tr. Edinger (1974)]