WIST Quotations

Carlin, George -- Book (1997), Brain Droppings, “Short Takes [Part 2]”

Dave — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:02:23 +0000

I put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing changed.

George Carlin (1937-2008) American comedian
Book (1997), Brain Droppings, “Short Takes [Part 2]”
(Source)

(Source (Audio))

Shakespeare, William -- Richard III, Act 1, sc. 2, l. 218ff (1.2.218-219) (1592)

Dave — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:32:25 +0000

RICHARD: But shall I live in hope?
LADY ANNE: All men, I hope, live so.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Richard III, Act 1, sc. 2, l. 218ff (1.2.218-219) (1592)
(Source)

Gaiman, Neil -- Blog entry (2012-12-31), “My New Year’s Wish”

Dave — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 23:36:21 +0000

So this is my wish, a wish for me as much as it is a wish for you: in the world to come, let us be brave — let us walk into the dark without fear, and step into the unknown with smiles on our faces, even if we’re faking them.
And whatever happens to us, whatever we make, whatever we learn, let us take joy in it. We can find joy in the world if it’s joy we’re looking for, we can take joy in the act of creation.
So that is my wish for you, and for me. Bravery and joy.

Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) British author, screenwriter, fabulist
Blog entry (2012-12-31), “My New Year’s Wish”
(Source)

Saint-Exupery, Antoine -- (Spurious)

Dave — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 20:31:05 +0000

A goal without a plan is just a wish.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944) French writer, aviator
(Spurious)

The earliest version of this quote is found as an anonymous proverb in Joan Horbiak, 50 Ways to Lose Ten Pounds (1995). The earliest association with Saint-Exupéry dates to around 2007. It's sometimes further pinned down to The Little Prince (1943); it does not appear there, but that's Saint-Exupéry's best-known book.

Snicket, Lemony -- The Carnivorous Carnival (2002)

Dave — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 14:14:58 +0000

One of the most troublesome things in life is that what you do or do not want has very little to do with what does or does not happen.

Lemony Snicket (b. 1970) American author, screenwriter, musician (pseud. for Daniel Handler)
The Carnivorous Carnival (2002)

De Botton, Alain -- The Consolations of Philosophy, ch. 3 “Consolation For Frustration” (2000)

Dave — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 18:35:25 +0000

Though the terrain of frustration may be vast — from a stubbed toe to an untimely death — at the heart of every frustration lies a basic structure: the collision of a wish with an unyielding reality.

Alain de Botton (b. 1969) Swiss-British author
The Consolations of Philosophy, ch. 3 “Consolation For Frustration” (2000)

Martin, Steve -- L. A. Story (1991)

Dave — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:07:48 +0000

HARRIS: Forget for this moment smog, cars, a restaurant, skating — remember only this: a kiss may not be the truth, but it is what we wish were true.

Steve Martin (b. 1945) American comedian, actor, writer, producer, musician
L. A. Story (1991)

The above text is what is actually said in the movie. Most sources, including IMDb, use a slightly longer form of the quote, possibly from the script.

Forget for this moment the smog and the cars and the restaurant and the skating and remember only this. A kiss may not be the truth, but it is what we wish were true.

Aesop -- Fables [Aesopica], “The Old Man and Death” (6th C BC) [tr. Jacobs (1894)]

Dave — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:54:07 +0000

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

Aesop (620?-560? BC) Legendary Greek storyteller
Fables [Aesopica], “The Old Man and Death” (6th C BC) [tr. Jacobs (1894)]
(Source)

Alternate translation: "It is one thing to call for Death, and another to see him coming." [tr. James (1848)]

Keillor, Garrison -- Lake Wobegon Days (1985)

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

Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.

Garrison Keillor (b. 1942) American entertainer, author
Lake Wobegon Days (1985)

~Other -- Paul Wiley

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

I wish I were telepathic. Not just to read people’s minds, which would be cool, but to cut down on my cellular phone bill.

(Other Authors and Sources)
Paul Wiley

Shakespeare, William -- Antony and Cleopatra, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 7ff (2.1.7-10) (1607)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

MENAS: We, ignorant of ourselves,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
Deny us for our good; so find we profit
By losing of our prayers.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Antony and Cleopatra, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 7ff (2.1.7-10) (1607)
(Source)