WIST Quotations

Adams, John -- Letter (1776-04-16) to Mercy Otis Warren

Dave — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:25:18 +0000

The Spirit of Commerce, Madam, which even insinuates itself into Families, and influences holy Matrimony, and thereby corrupts the Morals of Families as well as destroys their Happiness, it is much to be feared is incompatible with that purity of Heart, and Greatness of soul which is necessary for an happy Republic.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Letter (1776-04-16) to Mercy Otis Warren
(Source)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 948 (1725)

Dave — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:49:30 +0000

Never trust a malicious Man upon the Account that thou hast done him good Offices: For thou hast but fed a Dragon that will devour thee, if ever thou comest within his reach.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 948 (1725)
(Source)

Fuller repeated this item as # 2443 in his second volume (1727), slightly altered:

Never trust a malicious Man upon the Account that thou hast done him good Offices. For thou hast but fed a Dragon, that will devour thee if ever thou comest within the Reach of his Claws.

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 3. Gospel of Luke 6:32ff (Luke 6:32–33) (Jesus) [GNT (1992 ed.)]

Dave — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:20:05 +0000

If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that!

[καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσιν. καὶ [γὰρ] ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; καὶ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 3. Gospel of Luke 6:32ff (Luke 6:32–33) (Jesus) [GNT (1992 ed.)]
(Source)

No Synoptic parallels.

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
[KJV (1611)]

If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much.
[JB (1966)]

If you love those who love you, what credit can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit can you expect? For even sinners do that much.
[NJB (1985)]

If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that.
[CEB (2011)]

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Bible, Vol. 2. New Testament -- Book 3. Gospel of Luke 6:34ff (Luke 6:34–35) (Jesus) [GNT (1992 ed.)]

Dave — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:33:42 +0000

And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount! No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked.

[καὶ ἐὰν δανίσητε παρ᾽ ὧν ἐλπίζετε λαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις [ἐστίν]; καὶ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανίζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσιν τὰ ἴσα. πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανίζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες· καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 3. Gospel of Luke 6:34ff (Luke 6:34–35) (Jesus) [GNT (1992 ed.)]
(Source)

No Synoptic parallels.

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
[KJV (1611)]

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
[JB (1966)]

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to get money back, what credit can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
[NJB (1985)]

If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people.
[CEB (2011)]

If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Shakespeare, William -- King Lear, Act 2, sc. 4, l. 84ff (2.4.84-91) (1606)

Dave — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 22:51:39 +0000

FOOL: That sir which serves and seeks for gain,
And follows but for form,
Will pack when it begins to rain
And leave thee in the storm.
But I will tarry; the Fool will stay,
And let the wise man fly.
The knave turns fool that runs away;
The Fool, no knave, perdy.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
King Lear, Act 2, sc. 4, l. 84ff (2.4.84-91) (1606)
(Source)

Perdie, perdy: "by God" (from the French par Dieu].

Wiener, Norbert -- The Human Use of Human Beings, ch. 7 (1954)

Dave — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:22:22 +0000

A conscience which has been bought once will be bought twice.

Norbert Wiener (1894–1964) American mathematician and philosopher
The Human Use of Human Beings, ch. 7 (1954)
(Source)

Rothfuss, Patrick -- The Name of the Wind, ch. 1 (2007)

Dave — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 15:43:30 +0000

A tinker’s debt is always paid:
Once for any simple trade.
Twice for freely given aid.
Thrice for any insult made.

Patrick Rothfuss (b. 1973) American author
The Name of the Wind, ch. 1 (2007)
(Source)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 121 (1732)

Dave — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:53:45 +0000

A Friend, that you buy with Presents, will be bought from you.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 121 (1732)
(Source)

Scalzi, John -- Lock In, ch. 3 [Shane] (2014)

Dave — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:54:46 +0000

Rich people show their appreciation through favors. When everyone you know has more money than they know what to do with, money stops being a useful transactional tool. So instead you offer favors. Deals. Quid pro quos. Things that involve personal involvement rather than money. Because when you’re that rich, your personal time is your limiting factor.

John Scalzi (b. 1969) American writer
Lock In, ch. 3 [Shane] (2014)
(Source)

Beecher, Henry Ward -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:44:54 +0000

If you attempt to beat a man down and to get his goods for less than a fair price, you are attempting to commit burglary, as much as though you broke into his shop to take the things without paying for them. There is cheating on both sides of the counter and generally less behind it than before it.

Henry Ward Beecher (1813–1887) American clergyman and orator
(Attributed)

Quoted in John Bate, A Cyclopaedia Of Illustrations Of Moral And Religious Truths (1865)

Johnson, Lyndon -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:55:03 +0000

People don’t support you because they like you. You can count on a person’s support only when you do something for him or something to him.

Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973) American politician, educator, US President (1963–69)
(Attributed)
(Source)

On support from Congress. An "embittered" comment made to Richard Nixon after Johnson had left the Presidency. Quoted in Richard Nixon, In the Arena: A Memoir of Victory, Defeat, and Renewal, ch. 21 (1990).

Wooden, John -- They Call Me Coach, ch. 8, epigram (1972)

Dave — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 19:44:40 +0000

You cannot live the perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.

John Wooden (1910–2010) American basketball player and coach
They Call Me Coach, ch. 8, epigram (1972)
(Source)

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

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

They who are of opinion that Money will do every thing, may very well be suspected to do every thing for Money.

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

See also Franklin.