WIST Quotations

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 203 (1955)

Dave — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 22:14:11 +0000

When cowardice is made respectable, its followers are without number both from among the weak and the strong; it easily becomes a fashion.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 203 (1955)
(Source)

See also Hoffer (1971).

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1937-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.

Dave — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:43:43 +0000

This new understanding undermines the old admiration of worldly success as such. We are beginning to abandon our tolerance of the abuse of power by those who betray for profit the elementary decencies of life.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Speech (1937-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.
(Source)

(Source (Audio))

George, Henry -- Social Problems, ch. 1 (1883)

Dave — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:20:45 +0000

At the bottom of every social problem we will find a social wrong.

Henry George (1839-1897) American economist
Social Problems, ch. 1 (1883)

Hoffer, Eric -- First Things, Last Things, ch. 8 “Thoughts on the Present” (1971)

Dave — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:55:55 +0000

When cowardice becomes a fashion its adherents are without number, and it masquerades as forbearance, reasonableness and whatnot.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
First Things, Last Things, ch. 8 “Thoughts on the Present” (1971)
(Source)

See also Hoffer (1955).