WIST Quotations

Carter, Hodding -- Where Main Street Meets the River, “It’s How We Like It” (1953)

Dave — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 16:39:51 +0000

A wise woman once said to me that there are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these she said is roots, the other, wings.

Hodding Carter II (1907–1972) American journalist and author [William Hodding Carter II]
Where Main Street Meets the River, “It’s How We Like It” (1953)
(Source)

Almost always quoted without the notes about the "wise woman," e.g.,

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children: one of these is roots, the other, wings.

Capra, Frank -- It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) [with Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett]

Dave — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 21:09:19 +0000

Dear George:
Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.
Thanks for the wings!
Love, Clarence.

Frank Capra 1897–1991) Italian-American film director, producer, writer [b. Francesco Rosario Capra]
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) [with Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett]
(Source)

Tsvetaeva, Marina -- Notebook 1 (1921)

Dave — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 21:20:57 +0000

Wings are freedom only when they are wide open in flight. On one’s back they are a heavy weight.

[Крылья — свобода, только когда раскрыты в полёте, за спиной они — тяжесть.]

Marina Tsvetaeva (1892–1941) Russian poet
Notebook 1 (1921)
(Source)

Literally "Wings -- freedom, only when opened in flight, behind their backs -- heavy."