WIST Quotations

Billings, Josh -- Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1874-11 (1874 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:16:01 +0000

He who suspekts everyboddy, should be watched by everyboddy.

[He who suspects everybody should be watched by everybody.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1874-11 (1874 ed.)

See Johnson (1763).

In his 1879 Allminax (April), Billings provided a similar adage:

Whenever yu cum akrost a man who distrusts everyboddy, yu have found one whom it is safe for everyboddy to distrust.

[Whenever you come across a man who distrusts everybody, you have found one whom it is safe for everybody to distrust.]

Thurber, James -- Essay (1958-12-07), “State of the Nation’s Humor: ‘On the Brink of Was,'” New York Times Magazine

Dave — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:08:39 +0000

The nation that complacently and fearfully allows its artists and writers to become suspected rather than respected is no longer regarded as a nation possessed with humor or depth.

James Thurber (1894–1961) American humorist, cartoonist, writer
Essay (1958-12-07), “State of the Nation’s Humor: ‘On the Brink of Was,'” New York Times Magazine

Hugo, Victor -- Toilers of the Sea [Les Travailleurs de la Mer], Book 1, ch. 4 (1866) [tr. Thomas (1911)]

Dave — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:33:54 +0000

But it is just those books which a man possesses, but does not read, which constitute the most suspicious evidence against him. The Spanish Inquisition have deliberated on that point, and have come to a conclusion that places the matter beyond further doubt.

[Mais ce sont précisément les livres qu’un homme ne lit pas qui l’accusent les plus. L’inquisition d’Espagne a jugé ce point, et l’a mis hors de doute.]

Victor Hugo (1802–1885) French writer, journalist, human rights activist, politician
Toilers of the Sea [Les Travailleurs de la Mer], Book 1, ch. 4 (1866) [tr. Thomas (1911)]

On an inherited book in Latin on the protagonist's bookshelf which, his not knowing Latin, makes folk suspicious. (The book is a 17th Century treatise on rhubarb.)

(Source (French)). Other translations:

But it is exactly for those very books that a man does not peruse that he is condemned. The history of the Inquisition has proved this to us.
[tr. Campbell (1887)]

But it is just those books which a man does not read which condemn him the most. The Spanish Inquisition passed judgment on this point and placed it beyond a doubt.
[tr. Hapgood (1888)]

But it is just those books that a man does not read that provide evidence against him. The Spanish Inquisition considered this point and put the matter beyond doubt.
[tr. Hogarth (2002)]

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1945-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.

Dave — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:26:38 +0000

We can gain no lasting peace if we approach it with suspicion and mistrust — or with fear. We can gain it only if we proceed with the understanding and the confidence and the courage which flow from conviction.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman; US President (1933–45)
Speech (1945-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.

(Source (Audio))

Marlowe, Christopher -- The Jew of Malta, Act 1, sc. 2, ll. 282-283 (c. 1590)

Dave — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:47:37 +0000

BARABAS:Religion
Hides many mischiefs from suspicion.

Christopher "Kit" Marlowe (1564–1593) English dramatist and poet
The Jew of Malta, Act 1, sc. 2, ll. 282-283 (c. 1590)

Planning to send his daughter, Abigail, as a penitent to the nunnery that his confiscated house has been turned to, so that she can recover his treasure left hidden there.

Mencken, H. L. -- A Little Book in C Major, ch. 4, § 30 (1916)

Dave — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:57:13 +0000

A man of self-respect is one who still believes that nobody suspects him.

H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American writer and journalist [Henry Lewis Mencken]
A Little Book in C Major, ch. 4, § 30 (1916)

Variants:

SELF-RESPECT. The secure feeling that no one, as yet, is suspicious.
A Book of Burlesques, "The Jazz Webster" (1924)

Self-Respect -- The secure feeling that no one, as yet, is suspicious.
Chrestomathy, ch. 30 "Sententiae" (1949)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard’s Almanack (Nov 1751)

Dave — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:18:35 +0000

Not to oversee Workmen, is to leave them your Purse open.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Nov 1751)

Kendall, Paul Murray -- “Walking the Boundaries,” The Art of Biography (1965)

Dave — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 17:01:32 +0000

The biographer does not trust his witnesses, living or dead. He may drip with the milk of human kindness, believe everything that his wife and his friends and his children tell him, enjoy his neighbors and embrace the universe — but in the workshop he must be as ruthless as a board meeting smelling out embezzlement, as suspicious as a secret agent riding the Simplon-Orient Express, as cold-eyed as a pawnbroker viewing a leaky concertina. With no respect for human dignity, he plays off his witnesses one against the other, snoops for additional information to confront them with, probes their prejudices and their pride, checks their reliability against their self-interest, thinks the worst until he is permitted to think better.

Paul Murray Kendall (1911–1973) American academic and historian
“Walking the Boundaries,” The Art of Biography (1965)

Butler, Octavia -- Parable of the Sower, ch. 11 (1993)

Dave — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 13:53:16 +0000

“When it comes to strangers with guns,” I told her, “I think suspicion is more likely to keep you alive than trust.”

Octavia Butler (1947–2006) American writer
Parable of the Sower, ch. 11 (1993)

Hurston, Zora Neale -- Moses, Man of the Mountain [Moses] (1939)

Dave — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 01:13:28 +0000

If you want that good feeling that comes from doing things for other folks then you have to pay for it in abuse and misunderstanding.

Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960) American writer, folklorist, anthropologist
Moses, Man of the Mountain [Moses] (1939)

Shakespeare, William -- Henry VI, Part 3, Act 5, sc. 6, l. 11ff (5.6.11-12) (1591)

Dave — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 01:56:59 +0000

RICHARD: Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind;
The thief doth fear each bush an officer.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Henry VI, Part 3, Act 5, sc. 6, l. 11ff (5.6.11-12) (1591)

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 928 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 00:26:43 +0000

Suspicion begets suspicion.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 928 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

De Ligne, Charles-Joseph -- Mes écarts, ou, ma tête en liberté

Dave — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 18:55:31 +0000

There are two kinds of fools: those who suspect nothing and those who suspect everything.

Charles-Joseph Lamoral, Prince de Ligne (1735–1814) Belgian military leader, noble, writer [Karl Fürst von Ligne, Charles-Joseph de Ligne]
Mes écarts, ou, ma tête en liberté

Paine, Thomas -- Common Sense, “Of the Present Ability of America” (1776)

Dave — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:31:49 +0000

Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.

Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American political philosopher and writer
Common Sense, “Of the Present Ability of America” (1776)

Brust, Steven -- The Phoenix Guards (1991)

Dave — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 00:02:53 +0000

The seed had sprouted into that most wonderful and horrible of fruits: doubt, which, like the strawberry, has a succulent taste, but has also a tendency to spread and spread, until it dominates whatever garden it has taken root in.

Steven Brust (b. 1955) American writer, systems programmer
The Phoenix Guards (1991)

Lewis, C.S. -- “Screwtape Proposes a Toast”

Dave — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 21:14:55 +0000

Suspicion often creates what it suspects.

C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) English writer, literary scholar, lay theologian [Clive Staples Lewis]
“Screwtape Proposes a Toast”

Hare, Julius -- Guesses at Truth: First Series (1827) [with A. W. Hare]

Dave — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 01:35:15 +0000

A man prone to suspect evil is most looking for in his neighbor what he sees in himself.

Julius Hare (1795–1855) English cleric, theologian
Guesses at Truth: First Series (1827) [with A. W. Hare]

Halifax, George Savile, Marquis of -- “Of Caution and Suspicion,” Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Thoughts and Reflections (1750)

Dave — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:45:06 +0000

A wise Man will keep his Suspicions muzzled, but he will keep them awake.

George Savile, Marquis of Halifax (1633–1695) English politician and essayist
“Of Caution and Suspicion,” Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Thoughts and Reflections (1750)

Billings, Josh -- Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, ch. 142 “Affurisms: Fust Impreshuns” (1874)

Dave — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 03:50:40 +0000

Every boddy in this world wants watching, but none more than ourselves.

[Everybody in this world wants watching, but none more than ourselves.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, ch. 142 “Affurisms: Fust Impreshuns” (1874)

Abelard, Peter -- Historia Calamitatum Mearum [The Story of My Misfortunes], ch. 6 (1132) [tr. Radice (1974)]

Dave — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 00:20:00 +0000

We do not easily think ill of those whom we love most, and the taint of suspicion cannot exist along with warm affection.

[Non enim facile de his quos plurimum diligimus turpitudinem suspicamur, nec in vehementi dilectione turpis suspitionis labes potest inesse.]

Peter Abelard (1079–1142) French philosopher, theologian, logician [Pierre Abélard]
Historia Calamitatum Mearum [The Story of My Misfortunes], ch. 6 (1132) [tr. Radice (1974)]

On how Heloise' uncle, Fulbert, had no suspicion of her romantic relationship with Abelard.

(Source (Latin)). Another translation:

Indeed we do not easily suspect shame in those whom we most cherish, nor can there be the blot of foul suspicion on devoted love.
[tr. Bellows (1922)]

The first half of the sentence is most commonly quoted. Other variants include:

"For it is not easy to suspect vileness in those whom we love most."
"For we do not easily expect evil of those whom we love most."

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Essay (1860), “Worship,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 6

Dave — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 18:07:44 +0000

The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Essay (1860), “Worship,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 6

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

See Johnson.

Dickens, Charles -- American Notes, ch. 18 (1842)

Dave — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:35:07 +0000

Any man who attains a high place among you, from the President downwards, may date his downfall from that moment; for any printed lie that any notorious villain pens, although it militate directly against the character and conduct of a life, appeals at once to your distrust, and is believed. You will strain at a gnat in the way of trustfulness and confidence, however fairly won and well deserved; but you will swallow a whole caravan of camels, if they be laden with unworthy doubts and mean suspicions. Is this well, think you, or likely to elevate the character of the governors or the governed among you?

Charles Dickens (1812–1870) English writer and social critic
American Notes, ch. 18 (1842)

Herbert, George -- Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 865 (1640 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 13:54:18 +0000

The Rich knowes not who is his friend.

George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 865 (1640 ed.)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 184 (1955)

Dave — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:54:09 +0000

Rabid suspicion has nothing in it of skepticism. The suspicious mind believes more than it doubts. It believes in a formidable and ineradicable evil lurking in every person.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 184 (1955)

Machiavelli, Niccolo -- The Discourses on Livy, Book 3, ch. 48 (1517) [tr. Detmold (1882)]

Dave — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:35:21 +0000

Any manifest error on the part of an enemy should make us suspect some stratagem.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Discourses on Livy, Book 3, ch. 48 (1517) [tr. Detmold (1882)]

Julius Caesar -- In Suetonius, Life of Caesar

Dave — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:39:13 +0000

My wife should be as much free from suspicion of a crime as she is from a crime itself.

[Meos tam suspicione quam crimine iudico carere oportere.]

Julius Caesar (100–44 BC) Roman general and statesman [Gaius Julius Caesar]
In Suetonius, Life of Caesar

Popularly, "Caesar’s wife must be above reproach" or "beyond reproach."

Caesar was called to be a witness against Clodius, who was charge with having defiled sacred rites and having an affair with Pompeia, Caesar's wife. Caesar said he had investigated and found out nothing to prove the Pompeia's fidelity. When asked why, then, he had divorced her, he gave this answer.

Other translations: "I judge it necessary for my kin to be as free from suspicion as from the charge of wrongdoing."

Other translations: "I wished my wife to be not so much as suspected." [in Plutarch, “Caesar,” Parallel Lives [tr. Dryden (1693)]].

Hoffer, Eric -- True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 100 (1951)

Dave — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:20:45 +0000

The awareness of their individual blemishes and shortcomings inclines the frustrated to detect ill will and meanness in their fellow men. Self-contempt, however vague, sharpens our eyes for the imperfections of others. We usually strive to reveal in others the blemishes we hide in ourselves.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 100 (1951)

Hand, Learned -- “A Plea for the Open Mind and Free Discussion,” speech, University of the State of New York, Albany (1952-10-24)

Dave — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:26:35 +0000

I believe that that community is already in process of dissolution where each man begins to eye his neighbor as a possible enemy, where non-conformity with the accepted creed, political as well as religious, is a mark of disaffection; where denunciation, without specification or backing, takes the place of evidence; where orthodoxy chokes freedom of dissent; where faith in the eventual supremacy of reason has become so timid that we are not enter our convictions into the open list, to win or lose. Such fears as these are a solvent which can eat out the cement that binds the stones together; they may in the end subject us to a despotism as evil as any that we dread; and they can be allayed only in so far as we refuse to proceed on suspicion, and trust one another until we have tangible ground for misgiving,

Learned Hand (1872–1961) American jurist
“A Plea for the Open Mind and Free Discussion,” speech, University of the State of New York, Albany (1952-10-24)

Hand, Learned -- “A Plea for the Open Mind and Free Discussion,” speech, University of the State of New York, Albany (1952-10-24)

Dave — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:23:24 +0000

Risk for risk, for myself I had rather take my chance that some traitors will escape detection than spread abroad a spirit of general suspicion and distrust, which accepts rumor and gossip in place of undismayed and unintimidated inquiry.

Learned Hand (1872–1961) American jurist
“A Plea for the Open Mind and Free Discussion,” speech, University of the State of New York, Albany (1952-10-24)

Marcus Aurelius -- Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 3, ch. 7 (3.7) [tr. Hays (2003)]

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

Never regard something as doing you good if it makes you betray a trust, or lose your sense of shame, or makes you show hatred, suspicion, ill will, or hypocrisy, or a desire for things best done behind closed doors.

[Μὴ τιμήσῃς ποτὲ ὡς συμφέρον σεαυτοῦ, ὃ ἀναγκάσει σέ ποτε τὴν πίστιν παραβῆναι, τὴν αἰδῶ ἐγκαταλιπεῖν, μισῆσαί τινα, ὑποπτεῦσαι, καταράσασθαι, ὑποκρίνασθαι, ἐπιθυμῆσαί τινος τοίχων καὶ παραπετασμάτων δεομένου.]

Marcus Aurelius (AD 121–180) Roman emperor (161–180), Stoic philosopher
Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 3, ch. 7 (3.7) [tr. Hays (2003)]

(Source (Greek)). Other translations:

Never esteem of anything as profitable, which shall ever constrain thee either to break thy faith, or to lose thy modesty; to hate any man, to suspect, to curse, to dissemble, to lust after anything, that requireth the secret of walls or veils.
[tr. Casaubon (1634), ch. 8]

Don't be fond of any Thing, or think that for your Interest, which makes you break your Word, quit your Modesty, be of a Dissembling, Suspicious, or Outragious Humour; which puts you upon Hating any Person, and enclines you to any Practice, which wont bear the Light, and look the World in the Face.
[tr. Collier (1701)]

Never value that as advantageous, which may force you to break your faith; to quit your modesty, or sense of honour; to hate, suspect, or imprecate evil on any one; to dissemble; or to desire any of these things which need walls or curtains to conceal them.
[tr. Hutcheson/Moor (1742)]

Never adopt any measure as conducing to your interest, which lays you under a necessity of violating your honour or your modesty; or may excite your hatred or your suspicion, or provoke you to execrate any one, or to practice dissimulation; or, in short, to entertain a wish which will not bear the light, but must be concealed from the world by walls and curtains.
[tr. Graves (1792)]

Never value anything as profitable to thyself which shall compel thee to break thy promise, to lose thy self-respect, to hate any man, to suspect, to curse, to act the hypocrite, to desire anything which needs walls and curtains.
[tr. Long (1862)]

Think nothing for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, hate, suspect, or curse any person, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light and look the world in the face.
[tr. Collier/Zimmern (1887)]

Never esteem anything as of advantage to thee that shall make thee break thy word or lose thy self-respect.
[tr. Morgan, in Bartlett's (1894)]

Never prize anything as self-advantage, which will compel you to break faith, to forfeit self-respect, to suspect or hate or execrate another, to play false, to desire anything which requires screens or veils.
[tr. Rendall (1898)]

Never esteem aught of advantage which will oblige you to break your faith, or to desert your honour; to hate, to suspect, or to execrate any man; to play a part; or to set your mind on anything that needs to be hidden by wall or curtain.
[tr. Hutcheson/Chrystal (1902)]

Prize not anything as being to thine interest that shall ever force thee to break thy troth, to surrender thine honour, to hate, suspect, or curse anyone, to play the hypocrite, to lust after anything that needs walls and curtains.
[tr. Haines (Loeb) (1916)]

Never value as an advantage to yourself what will force you one day to break your word, to abandon self-respect, to hate, suspect, execrate another, to act a part, to covet anything that calls for walls or coverings to conceal it.
[tr. Farquharson (1944)]

Never value the advantages derived from anything involving breach of faith, loss of self-respect, hatred, suspicion, or execration of others, insincerity, or the desire for something which hast to be veiled and curtained.
[tr. Staniforth (1964)]

Never prize as advantageous to yourself anything that will compel you some day to break your word, to offend against propriety, to hate, suspect or curse another, to dissemble, or to desire anything that needs to be veiled behind walls and curtains.
[tr. Hard (1997 ed.)]

Never regard as a benefit to yourself anything which will force you at some point to break your faith, to leave integrity behind, to hate, suspect, or curse another, to dissemble, to covet anything needing the secrecy of walls and drapes.
[tr. Hammond (2006)]

Never consider anything to be beneficial to you, which could ever compel you to violate your faith in yourself, to abandon your modesty, to hate anybody, to be overly suspicious, cursing, disingenuous, or to lust after anything which must be hidden behind walls or veils.
[tr. Needleman/Piazza (2008)]

Never prize as advantageous to yourself anything that will compel you some day to break your word, to offend against propriety, to hate, suspect, or curse another, to pretend, or to desire anything that needs to be veiled behind walls and curtains.
[tr. Hard (2011 ed.)]

Never value as beneficial to yourself something that will force you one day to break your word, abandon your sense of shame, hate, suspect, or curse someone else, pretend, or desire something that needs the secrecy of walls or curtains.
[tr. Gill (2013)]

Value nothing which compels you to break your promise, to abandon your honor, to hate, suspect or curse anyone, to be a hypocrite, or to lust after anything which needs walls or decorations.
[tr. @sentantiq (2019)]

Never value anything you find profitable, to the extent that you have to break a promise, lose your self-respect, hate any person or act the hypocrite.
[tr. McNeill (2019)]

Some causes will force you to betray faith, abandon shame, hate or suspect another person, call down curses, put forward explanations, or desire something that requires walls and fences. Do not regard these causes as necessary or beneficial to yourself.
[Source]

Mencken, H. L. -- A Book of Burlesques, ch. 11 (1920)

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

SELF-RESPECT: The secure feeling that no one, as yet, is suspicious.

H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American writer and journalist [Henry Lewis Mencken]
A Book of Burlesques, ch. 11 (1920)