WIST Quotations

Lincoln, Abraham -- Speech (1859-09-30), Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee

Dave — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:59:06 +0000

To correct the evils, great and small, which spring from want of sympathy, and from positive enmity, among strangers, as nations, or as individuals, is one of the highest functions of civilization.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861-65)
Speech (1859-09-30), Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee
(Source)

Hugo, Victor -- Les Misérables, Part 4 “Saint Denis,” Book 12 “Corinth,” ch. 4 (4.12.4) (1862) [tr. Wilbour (1862)]

Dave — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:59:53 +0000

Great perils have this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.

[Les grands périls ont cela de beau qu’ils mettent en lumière la fraternité des inconnus.]

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) French writer
Les Misérables, Part 4 “Saint Denis,” Book 12 “Corinth,” ch. 4 (4.12.4) (1862) [tr. Wilbour (1862)]
(Source)

On the varied Parisians working together at building the barricades.

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

Great dangers have this beauty about them, that they throw light on the fraternity of strangers.
[tr. Wraxall (1862)]

Great perils have this fine characteristic, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.
[tr. Hapgood (1887)]

It is the ennobling quality of danger that it brings to light the fraternity of strangers.
[tr. Denny (1976)]

Great perils share this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.
[tr. Wilbour/Fahnestock/MacAfee (1987)]

That is the beauty of great danger, it brings out the fraternity of strangers.
[tr. Donougher (2013)]

Jacobs, Jane -- The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Part 1, ch. 2 (1961)

Dave — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 18:06:26 +0000

Great cities are not like towns, only larger. They are not like suburbs, only denser. They differ from towns and suburbs in basic ways, and one of them is that cities are, by definition, full of strangers.

Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) American-Canadian journalist, author, urban theorist, activist
The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Part 1, ch. 2 (1961)
(Source)

Montgomery, Lucy Maud -- Anne of the Island, ch. 3 (1915)

Dave — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 17:25:24 +0000

What a comfort one familiar face is in a howling wilderness of strangers!

Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) Canadian author
Anne of the Island, ch. 3 (1915)
(Source)

Forster, E. M. -- “The Unsung Virtue of Tolerance,” radio broadcast (Jul 1941)

Dave — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 20:57:38 +0000

[Tolerance] carries on when love gives out, and love generally gives out as soon as we move away from our home and our friends.

E. M. Forster (1879-1970) English novelist, essayist, critic, librettist [Edward Morgan Forster]
“The Unsung Virtue of Tolerance,” radio broadcast (Jul 1941)
(Source)

Published as "Tolerance," Two Cheers for Democracy (1951)

Hlavaty, Arthur D. -- “Derogatory Reference” #100 (2002)

Dave — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:04:24 +0000

Depending on the kindness of strangers may not be as bad as depending on the competence of strangers.

Arthur D. Hlavaty (b. 1942) American writer, editor, publisher [a/k/a "Supergee"]
“Derogatory Reference” #100 (2002)
(Source)

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Hebrews 13: 2 [KJV (1611)]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 18:00:00 +0000

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

[τῆς φιλοξενίας μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε διὰ ταύτης γὰρ ἔλαθόν τινες ξενίσαντες ἀγγέλους.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Hebrews 13: 2 [KJV (1611)]
(Source)

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

Remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
[JB (1966); NJB (1985)]

Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it.
[GNT (1976)]

Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it.
[CEB (2011)]

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]