WIST Quotations

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Philippics [Philippicae; Antonian Orations], No. 11, ch. 15 / sec. 39 (11.15/11.39) (43-02 BC) [ed. Harbottle (1897)]

Dave — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:23:43 +0000

Nothing flourishes for ever; each generation gives place to its successor.

[Nihil enim semper floret; aetas succedit aetati.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Philippics [Philippicae; Antonian Orations], No. 11, ch. 15 / sec. 39 (11.15/11.39) (43-02 BC) [ed. Harbottle (1897)]
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

For there is nothing which flourishes for ever. Age succeeds age.
[tr. Yonge (1903)]

For nothing is for ever flourishing; age succeeds to age.
[tr. Ker (Loeb) (1926)]

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 14 “Des Gouvernements [On Governments],” ¶ 16 (1850 ed.) [tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 13, ¶ 7]

Dave — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:08:16 +0000

Just as a savage will sacrifice his whole subsistence to his hunger, the despot sacrifices his authority to his love of power; his reign devours the reign of his successors.

[Comme le sauvage sacrifie sa subsistance à sa faim, le despote sacrifie sa puissance à son pouvoir; son règne dévore le règne de ses successeurs.]

Joseph Joubert (1754-1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 14 “Des Gouvernements [On Governments],” ¶ 16 (1850 ed.) [tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 13, ¶ 7]
(Source)

(Source (French)). No other translations of the thought found amongst those consulted.

Herrick, Robert -- “Sorrows Succeed,” Hesperides, # 48 (1648)

Dave — Fri, 24 May 2024 14:45:17 +0000

When one is past, another care we have:
Thus woe succeeds a woe, as wave a wave.

Robert Herrick (1591-1674) English poet
“Sorrows Succeed,” Hesperides, # 48 (1648)
(Source)

Euripides -- Heracles (421-416 B.C.)

Dave — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 02:17:36 +0000

All is change; all yields its place and goes.

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Heracles (421-416 B.C.)

Herrick, Robert -- “Ceremonies for Candlemas Eve,” Hesperides, # 892 (1648)

Dave — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 19:59:07 +0000

Thus times do shift, each thing his turn does hold;
New things succeed, as former things grow old.

Robert Herrick (1591-1674) English poet
“Ceremonies for Candlemas Eve,” Hesperides, # 892 (1648)
(Source)

Lippmann, Walter -- “Roosevelt Has Gone,” “Today and Tomorrow” column (14 Apr 1945)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.

Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) American journalist and author
“Roosevelt Has Gone,” “Today and Tomorrow” column (14 Apr 1945)

On the death of Franklin Roosevelt.