WIST Quotations

Addison, Joseph -- Essay (1711-11-17), The Spectator, No. 225

Dave — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:39:57 +0000

Though a man has all other perfections, and wants discretion, he will be of no great consequence in the world; but if he has this single talent in perfection, and but a common share of others, he may do what he pleases in his station of life.

Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1711-11-17), The Spectator, No. 225
(Source)

Wilder, Laura Ingalls -- “Just a Question of Tact,” Missouri Ruralist (1916-10-05)

Dave — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:49:00 +0000

Tact does for life just what lubricating oil does for machinery. It makes the wheels run smoothly, and without it there is a great deal of friction and the possibility of a breakdown.

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) American writer
“Just a Question of Tact,” Missouri Ruralist (1916-10-05)
(Source)

Randall, J. G. -- Mr. Lincoln, ch. 7, sec. 2 (1957)

Dave — Tue, 30 May 2023 14:40:18 +0000

Tact is not one thing only. It is a number of qualities working together: insight into the nature of men, sympathy, self-control, a knack of inducing self-control in others, avoidance of human blundering, readiness to give the immediate situation an understanding mind and a second thought. Tact is not only kindness, but kindness skillfully extended.

James G. Randall (1881–1953) American historian
Mr. Lincoln, ch. 7, sec. 2 (1957)
(Source)

Mizner, Wilson -- In Edward Dean Sullivan, The Fabulous Wilson Mizner (1935)

Dave — Mon, 01 May 2023 14:41:02 +0000

In the battle of existence, Talent is the punch; Tact is the clever footwork.

Wilson Mizner (1876–1933) American screenwriter and wit
In Edward Dean Sullivan, The Fabulous Wilson Mizner (1935)
(Source)

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Sr. -- Article (1858-01), “The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table,” Atlantic Monthly

Dave — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:29:15 +0000

Don’t flatter yourselves that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. On the contrary, the nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–1894) American poet, essayist, scholar
Article (1858-01), “The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table,” Atlantic Monthly
(Source)

Collected in The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table, ch. 3 (1858).

Russell, Bertrand -- Essay (1933-02-01) “On Tact,” New York American

Dave — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:16:19 +0000

I think the gist of the matter is that a saint can live without politeness, and indeed that politeness is incompatible with a saintly character. But the man who is always to be sincere must be free from spite and envy and malice and pettiness. Most of us have a dose of these vices in our composition and therefore have to excerise tact to avoid giving offence. We cannot all be saints, and if saintliness is impossible, we may at least try not to be too disagreeable.

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) English mathematician and philosopher
Essay (1933-02-01) “On Tact,” New York American
(Source)

Russell, Bertrand -- “On Tact,” New York American (1933-02-01)

Dave — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 15:09:33 +0000

But although tact is a virtue, it is very closely allied to certain vices; the line between tact and hypocrisy is a very narrow one. I think the distinction comes in the motive: when it is kindliness that makes us wish to please, our tact is the right sort; when it is fear of offending, or desire to obtain some advantage by flattery, our tact is apt to be of a less amiable kind.

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) English mathematician and philosopher
“On Tact,” New York American (1933-02-01)
(Source)

Poole, Mary Pettibone -- A Glass Eye at a Keyhole, “Made in Manhattan” (1938)

Dave — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 21:54:56 +0000

Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.

Mary Pettibone Poole (fl. 1930s) American aphorist
A Glass Eye at a Keyhole, “Made in Manhattan” (1938)
(Source)

Peter, Lawrence J. -- Peter’s Almanac, “July 26” (1982)

Dave — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 20:34:10 +0000

Tact is the art of putting your foot down without stepping on anyone’s toes.

Lawrence J. Peter (1919–1990) American educator, management theorist
Peter’s Almanac, “July 26” (1982)
(Source)

Plutarch -- Moralia, Vol. 10 “Precepts of Statecraft” (13) [tr. Helmbold (1936)]

Dave — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 03:40:15 +0000

Base and absurd requests he should reject, not harshly but gently, informing the askers by way of consolation that the requests are not in accord with their own excellence and reputation.

Plutarch (AD 46–127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]
Moralia, Vol. 10 “Precepts of Statecraft” (13) [tr. Helmbold (1936)]

Lincoln, Abraham -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 19:04:09 +0000

The sharpness of a refusal or the edge of a rebuke may be blunted by an appropriate story so as to save wounded feelings and yet serve the purpose.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
(Attributed)

In Anthony Gross, ed. Lincoln's Own Stories, ch. 6 (1912).

Forbes, Malcolm -- The Sayings of Chairman Malcolm, “Arrived” (1978)

Dave — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 04:03:26 +0000

To be agreeable while disagreeing — that’s an art.

Malcolm Forbes (1919–1990) American billionaire
The Sayings of Chairman Malcolm, “Arrived” (1978)

Disraeli, Benjamin -- Endymion, ch. 61 (1880)

Dave — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 04:29:44 +0000

Tact teaches you when to be silent.

Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881) English politician and author
Endymion, ch. 61 (1880)

Butler, Samuel -- The Note-Books of Samuel Butler, “Silence and Tact” (1912)

Dave — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 12:17:55 +0000

Silence is not always tact and it is tact that is golden, not silence.

Samuel Butler (1835–1902) English novelist, satirist, scholar
The Note-Books of Samuel Butler, “Silence and Tact” (1912)
(Source)

~Other -- Howard W. Newton

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

Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.

(Other Authors and Sources)
Howard W. Newton

Martin, Judith -- Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 3 “Basic Civilization,” “Common Courtesy for All Ages” (1983)

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

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Can you tell me a tactful way of letting a friend know that she is getting too fat?

GENTLE READER: Can you tell Miss Manners a tactful reason for wanting to do so?

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Part 3 “Basic Civilization,” “Common Courtesy for All Ages” (1983)
(Source)

Addison, Joseph -- Essay (1711-07-20), The Spectator, No. 122

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

My friend Sir Roger heard them both upon a round trot; and after having paused some time, told them with an air of a man who would not give his judgment rashly, that “much might be said on both sides.”

Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1711-07-20), The Spectator, No. 122
(Source)