WIST Quotations

Hitchens, Christopher -- Essay (2004-02), “I Fought the Law,” Vanity Fair

Dave — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:33:56 +0000

The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law.

Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011) English intellectual, polemicist, socio-political critic
Essay (2004-02), “I Fought the Law,” Vanity Fair
(Source)

Collected as "I Fought the Law in Bloomburg's New York," Love, Poverty, and War (2004).

Doctor Who (1963) -- 23×01 “The Trial of a Time Lord: The Mysterious Planet,” Part 1 (1985-01-05) [w. Robert Holmes]

Dave — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:38:15 +0000

THE DOCTOR: Oh, I always like to do the unexpected. Takes people by surprise.

Doctor Who (1963-1989) British science fiction television series, original run (BBC)
23×01 “The Trial of a Time Lord: The Mysterious Planet,” Part 1 (1985-01-05) [w. Robert Holmes]
(Source)

(Source (Video)).

A number of sources start the second sentence with "It takes," which is not supported by the video.

Numbering for the story/serial within the season is controversial. Season 23 consisted of 14 episodes ("Part One" through "Part Fourteen") under the title "The Trial of a Time Lord." In turn, there were four distinct segments directed/written by different individuals, which were then separately novelized under new names (in this case, "The Mysterious Planet").

Bronte, Charlotte -- Villette, ch. 36 “The Apple of Discord” (1853)

Dave — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 14:53:07 +0000

Life is so constructed, that the event does not, cannot, will not, meet the expectation.

Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855) British novelist [pseud. Currer Bell]
Villette, ch. 36 “The Apple of Discord” (1853)
(Source)

Von Clausewitz, Karl -- On War [Vom Kriege], Book 1, ch. 3 “On Military Genius [Der Kriegerische Genius]” (1.3) (1832) [tr. Howard & Paret (1976)]

Dave — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:37:51 +0000

If the mind is to emerge unscathed from this relentless struggle with the unforeseen, two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead.

[So sind ihm zwei Eigenschaften unentbehrlich: einmal ein Verstand, der auch in dieser gesteigerten Dunkelheit nicht ohne einige Spuren des inneren Lichts ist, die ihn zur Wahrheit führen, und dann Mut, diesem schwachen Lichte zu folgen.]

Karl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) Prussian soldier, historian, military theorist
On War [Vom Kriege], Book 1, ch. 3 “On Military Genius [Der Kriegerische Genius]” (1.3) (1832) [tr. Howard & Paret (1976)]
(Source)

(Source (German)). Alternate translations:

Now, if it is to get safely through this perpetual conflict with the unexpected, two qualities are indispensable: in the first place an understanding which, even in the midst of this intense obscurity, is not without some traces of inner light, which lead to the truth, and then the courage to follow this faint light.
[tr. Graham (1873)]

Now if it is to get safely through this continual conflict with the unexpected, two qualities are indispensable: in the first place, an intellect which even in the midst of this intensified obscurity is not without some traces of inner light which lead to the truth, and next, courage to follow this faint light.
[tr. Jolles (1943)]

Twain, Mark -- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, ch. 34 (1889)

Dave — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 21:30:42 +0000

But don’t you know, there are some things that can beat smartness and foresight? Awkwardness and stupidity can. The best swordsman in the world doesn’t need to fear the second best swordsman in the world; no, the person for him to be afraid of is some ignorant antagonist who has never had a sword in his hand before; he doesn’t do the thing he ought to do, and so the expert isn’t prepared for him; he does the thing he ought not to do: and often it catches the expert out and ends him on the spot.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, ch. 34 (1889)
(Source)

Origin of more simplified versions of the phrase. More discussion: The Best Swordsman in the World Doesn’t Need To Fear the Second Best Swordsman – Quote Investigator.

Chesterfield (Lord) -- Letter to his son, #209 (19 Dec 1749)

Dave — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 17:25:01 +0000

We must not suppose that, because a man is a rational animal, he will, therefore, always act rationally; or, because he has such or such a predominant passion, that he will act invariably and consequentially in the pursuit of it. No, we are complicated machines; and though we have one main spring that gives motion to the whole, we have an infinity of little wheels, which, in their turns, retard, precipitate, and sometimes stop that motion.

Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) English statesman, wit [Philip Dormer Stanhope]
Letter to his son, #209 (19 Dec 1749)
(Source)