WIST Quotations

Rogers, Will -- Column (1935-01-20), “Weekly Article”

Dave — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:19:36 +0000

Civilization has taught us to eat with a fork, but even now if nobody is around we use our fingers.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1935-01-20), “Weekly Article”
(Source)

Snow, C. P. -- A Coat of Varnish, ch. 4 [Luria] (1979)

Dave — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 20:11:00 +0000

Civilization is hideously fragile, you know that; there’s not much between us and the horrors underneath. Just about a coat of varnish, wouldn’t you say?

C. P. Snow (1905-1980) English novelist, physical chemist, bureaucrat [Charles Percy Snow]
A Coat of Varnish, ch. 4 [Luria] (1979)
(Source)

Johnson, Samuel -- The Rambler, #189 (7 Jan 1752)

Dave — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 12:12:10 +0000

Almost every man wastes part of his life in attempts to display qualities which he does not possess, and to gain applause which he cannot keep.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #189 (7 Jan 1752)
(Source)

Hawthorne, Nathaniel -- The Scarlet Letter, ch. 17 (1850)

Dave — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:06:01 +0000

I have laughed in bitterness and agony of heart, at the contrast between what I seem and what I am!

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) American writer
The Scarlet Letter, ch. 17 (1850)

Dickens, Charles -- Great Expectations, ch 40 (1861)

Dave — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:06:24 +0000

Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There’s no better rule.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) English writer and social critic
Great Expectations, ch 40 (1861)

Conant, James -- Baccalaureate Address, Harvard University (1934)

Dave — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 13:03:43 +0000

Behavior which appears superficially correct, but is intrinsically corrupt, always irritates those who see below the surface.

James Bryant Conant (1893-1978) American chemist, academic, diplomat
Baccalaureate Address, Harvard University (1934)