WIST Quotations

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 200 (1955)

Dave — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:55:51 +0000

We ought to beware of people who do not think it necessary to pretend that they are good and decent. Lack of hypocrisy in such things hints at a capacity for a most depraved ruthlessness.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 200 (1955)

Martin, Judith -- “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (2014-02-18)

Dave — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:32:14 +0000

The stress of making small talk with in-laws is called being part of a family.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
“Miss Manners,” syndicated column (2014-02-18)

Austen, Jane -- Letter (1801-05-21) to Cassandra Austen

Dave — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:09:54 +0000

We are to have a tiny party here tonight. I hate tiny parties, they force one into constant exertion.

Jane Austen (1775–1817) English author
Letter (1801-05-21) to Cassandra Austen

Landers, Ann -- “Ask Ann Landers,” syndicated column (1991-06-19)

Dave — Thu, 02 May 2024 16:27:11 +0000

At every party there are two kinds of people — those who want to go home and those who don’t. The trouble is, they are usually married to each other.

Ann Landers (1918–2002) American advice columnist [pseud. for Eppie Lederer]
“Ask Ann Landers,” syndicated column (1991-06-19)

Where a source for this is cited, it is at the above date and in International Herald Tribune, presumably as part of her syndicated column. The quotation is included in a rotating sidebar element at Landers' website, but cannot be found in search on the site.

Austen, Jane -- Pride and Prejudice, ch. 31 (1813)

Dave — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 17:37:32 +0000

“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.”
“My fingers,” said Elizabeth, “do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women’s do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault — because I would not take the trouble of practising.”

Jane Austen (1775–1817) English author
Pride and Prejudice, ch. 31 (1813)

Kierkegaard, Soren -- Journal (1836-04) [tr. Hannay (1982)]

Dave — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 22:46:48 +0000

I have just now come from a party where I was its life and soul; witticisms streamed from my lips, everyone laughed and admired me, but I went away — yes, the dash should be as long as the radius of the earth’s orbit ——————————— and wanted to shoot myself.

Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) Danish philosopher, theologian
Journal (1836-04) [tr. Hannay (1982)]

Papieren: 1 A 161; KJN: NB 2:53. Other translations:

I have just returned from a party of which I was the life and soul; wit poured from my lips, everyone laughed and admired me -- but I went away -- and the dash should be as long as the earth's orbit ——————————— and wanted to shoot myself.
[tr. Dru (1938)]

I have just come back from a party where I was the life and soul. Witticisms flowed from my lips. Everyone laughed and admired me -- but I left, yes, that dash should be as long as the radii of the earth's orbit ——————————— and wanted to shoot myself.
[tr. Hannay (1996)]

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Journal (1838)

Dave — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:18:25 +0000

Solitude is naught and society is naught. Alternate them and the good of each is seen.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Journal (1838)

Thackeray, William Makepeace -- Sketches and Travels in London, “On Tailoring — and Toilets in General” (1856)

Dave — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 01:37:08 +0000

Good humor may be said to be one of the very best articles of dress one can wear in society.

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–1863) English novelist
Sketches and Travels in London, “On Tailoring — and Toilets in General” (1856)

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Essay (1860), “Wealth,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 3

Dave — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 22:28:07 +0000

Art is a jealous mistress, and, if a man have a genius for painting, poetry, music, architecture, or philosophy, he makes a bad husband and an ill provider.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Essay (1860), “Wealth,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 3

Based on a course of lectures, "The Conduct of Life," delivered in Pittsburg (1851-03).

Austen, Jane -- Letter (1798-12-24) to Cassandra Austen

Dave — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:40:16 +0000

I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.

Jane Austen (1775–1817) English author
Letter (1798-12-24) to Cassandra Austen