WIST Quotations

Twain, Mark -- Novel (1889), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Part 3 “The Tale of the Lost Land,” ch. 10 “Beginnings of Civilization”

Dave — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:21:24 +0000

Unlimited power is the ideal thing when it is in safe hands. The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government, and earthly despotism would be the absolute perfect earthly government if the conditions were the same; namely the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual; but as a perishable, perfect man must die and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Novel (1889), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Part 3 “The Tale of the Lost Land,” ch. 10 “Beginnings of Civilization”
(Source)

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.