A quotation from Jean Kerr

   JEFF: Man is the only animal that learns by being hypocritical. He pretends to be polite and then, eventually, he becomes polite.

Jean Kerr (1922-2003) American author and playwright [b. Bridget Jean Collins]
Finishing Touches, Act 1 (1973)

More about this quote: wist.info/kerr-jean/30688/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #jeankerr #civility #habit #humanity #hypocrisy #learning #politeness #pretense

A quotation from Eric Hoffer

We ought to beware of people who do not think it necessary to pretend that they are good and decent. Lack of hypocrisy in such things hints at a capacity for a most depraved ruthlessness.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 200 (1955)

More about this quote: wist.info/hoffer-eric/80863/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #erichoffer #badperson #character #decency #depravity #goodperson #hypocrisy #pretense #ruthlessness #sociability #mask

A quotation from William Pitt

It is true, the bill is said to be founded on necessity; but what is this? Is it not necessity, which has always been the plea of every illegal exertion of power, or exercise of oppression? Is not necessity the pretence of every usurpation? Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.

William Pitt (1759-1806) British Prime Minister (1804-06) [William Pitt the Younger]
Speech (1793-11-18), House of Commons, London

More info about this quote: wist.info/pitt-william/3164/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #williampitt #control #emergency #excuse #government #imperative #justification #necessity #need #oppression #power #pretense #security #servility #tyranny

A quotation from Will Rogers

   The building is literally lined with flags. I could never understand the exact connection between the flag and a bunch of politicians.
   Why a political speaker’s platform should be draped in flags, any more than a factory where men work, or an office building, is beyond me.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Article (1924-06-25), “Rogers Sees Harrison as Rival Monologuist,” New York Times, Democratic Convention Article 3, New York City

More info about this quote: wist.info/rogers-will/79766/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #willrogers #flag #patriotism #performance #politician #pretense #speech

A quotation from Josh Billings

The quickest way to take the starch out ov a man who iz allwuss blameing himself, is to agree with him, this aint what he iz looking for.
 
[The quickest way to take the starch out of a man who is always blaming himself, is to agree with him; this ain’t what he is looking for.]

Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1875-11 (1875 ed.)

More info about this quote: wist.info/billings-josh/79006/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #joshbillings #blame #criticism #falsemodesty #pretense #selfblame #selfcriticism #selfdeprecation #selfeffacing #selfserving

A quotation from A. A. Milne

   “Hallo, are you stuck?” he asked.
   “N-no,” said Pooh carelessly. “Just resting and thinking and humming to myself.”

A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh, ch. 2 “Pooh Goes Visiting” [Pooh, Rabbit] (1926)

More info about this quote: wist.info/milne-a-a/2840/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #aamilne #winniethepooh #poohbear #denial #nonchalance #pretense #stuck #pooh

A quotation from La Rochefoucauld

Virtue would not go so far if vanity did not keep her company.
 
[La vertu n’iroit pas si loin si la vanité ne lui tenoit compagnie.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶200 (1665-1678) [tr. Whichello (2016)]

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/la-rochefoucauld-fra…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #larochefoucauld #appearances #ego #pretense #pride #vanity #virtue #showingoff

A quotation from La Rochefoucauld

Desire to appear clever often prevents our becoming so.
 
[Le désir de paraître habile empêche souvent de le devenir.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶199 (1665-1678) [tr. Tancock (1959)]

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/la-rochefoucauld-fra…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #larochefoucauld #appearance #cleverness #facade #perception #pretense #seeming #self-defeating

A quotation from Bill Watterson

CALVIN: Hey Dad, how does a carburetor work?
CALVIN’S DAD: I can’t tell you.
CALVIN: Why not?
CALVIN’S DAD: It’s a secret.
CALVIN: No it isn’t! You just don’t know!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1987-06-03)

More info about this quote: wist.info/watterson-bill/78636…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #billwatterson #calvinandhobbes #automobile #car #carburetor #deception #engine #ignorance #mystery #parenting #pretense #secret

A quotation from Montesquieu

I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should appear like a fool but be wise.
 
[J’ai toujours vu que, pour réussir parfaitement bien dans le monde, il alloit avoir l’air fou et être sage.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
Pensées Diverses [Assorted Thoughts], # 1004 / 1013 (1720-1755)

Sourcing, notes, other translations: wist.info/montesquieu/78458/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #dolt #fool #madman #pretense #success #underestimation #wisdom #cleverness