WIST Quotations

Ivins, Molly -- Essay (2006-03-30), “Immigration 101 for Beginners and Non-Texans,” Creators Syndicate column

Dave — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 16:39:40 +0000

The Fence will not work. No fence will work. The Great darn Wall of China will not work. Do not build a fence. It will not work. They will come anyway. Over, under, or through. […] Anyone who says a fence can fix this problem is a demagogue and an ass.

Molly Ivins (1944–2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Essay (2006-03-30), “Immigration 101 for Beginners and Non-Texans,” Creators Syndicate column

Included in Progressive magazine's memorial article (2007-02) to Ivins, referencing their 2006-06 issue, edited down slightly:

The Fence will not work. No fence will work. The Great darn Wall of China will not work. Undocumented immigrants will come anyway. Over, under, or through. Anyone who says a fence can fix this problem is a demagogue and an ass.

Frost, Robert -- “Mending Wall” (1914)

Dave — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:26:06 +0000

Good fences make good neighbors.

Robert Frost (1874–1963) American poet
“Mending Wall” (1914)

The narrator's neighbor speaking. The phrase predates Frost (and has analogs in many languages and cultures), but achieved additional currency by his use.

Tolkien, J.R.R. -- The Lord of the Rings, Vol. 1: The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 1, ch. 3 “Three Is Company” [Gildor, to Frodo] (1954)

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

The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out.

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973) English writer, fabulist, philologist, academic [John Ronald Reuel Tolkien]
The Lord of the Rings, Vol. 1: The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 1, ch. 3 “Three Is Company” [Gildor, to Frodo] (1954)