WIST Quotations

Shakespeare, William -- Tempest, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 344ff (2.1.344-349) (1611)

Dave — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:31:39 +0000

ARIEL: While you here do snoring lie,
Open-eyed conspiracy
His time doth take.
If of life you keep a care,
Shake off slumber and beware.
Awake, awake!

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Tempest, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 344ff (2.1.344-349) (1611)
(Source)

Warning the sleeping Gonzalo of Antonio and Sebastian's plot to kill Alonso.

Stein, Gertrude -- Everybody’s Autobiography, ch. 1 (1937)

Dave — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 15:20:02 +0000

Everybody knows if you are too careful you are so occupied in being careful that you are sure to stumble over something.

Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) American expatriate author, feminist
Everybody’s Autobiography, ch. 1 (1937)
(Source)

Rogers, Will -- Column (1929-11-03), “Daily Telegram”

Dave — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 15:33:42 +0000

Peace is like a beautiful woman — it’s wonderful, but has been known to bear watching.

Will Rogers (1879–1935) American humorist
Column (1929-11-03), “Daily Telegram”
(Source)

Billings, Josh -- Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, “Koarse Shot” (1874)

Dave — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 06:07:15 +0000

A weak man wants az mutch watching as a bad one.

[A weak man wants as much watching as a bad.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, “Koarse Shot” (1874)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1733 ed.)

Dave — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 21:06:32 +0000

Distrust and caution are the parents of security.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1733 ed.)
(Source)

Johnson, Samuel -- Essay (1759-05-19), The Idler, No. 57

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

Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rules on composition: it produces vigilance rather than elevation, rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often escapes miscarriages but seldom reaches either power or honour. It quenches that ardour of enterprise by which every thing is done that can claim praise or admiration; and represses that generous temerity which often fails and often succeeds. Rules may obviate faults, but can never confer beauties; and prudence keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1759-05-19), The Idler, No. 57
(Source)