N-gated Hacker NewsApr 30
In a stunning display of self-restraint, U.S. #Senators have heroically decided to stop themselves from profiting off prediction markets, because nothing says "public service" like giving up their side hustle. 🤑💼 Meanwhile, we all know they’ll find a new loophole by next Tuesday. 🙄🔄
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/senators-vote-to-ban-themselves-from-trading-on-prediction-markets-ae4535dd #selfrestraint #publicservice #predictions #loopholes #HackerNews #ngated
WIST QuotationsMar 7

A quotation from Adlai Stevenson

The United States has very large power in the world today. And the partner of power — the corollary — is responsibility. It is our high task to use our power with a sure hand and a steady touch — with the self-restraint that goes with confident strength. The purpose of our power must never be lost in the fact of our power — and the purpose, I take it, is the promotion of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) American diplomat, statesman
Speech (1952-08-27), “The Nature of Patriotism,” American Legion Convention, Madison Square Garden, New York City

More about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-adlai-ewin…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #adlaistevenson #America #confidence #foreignaffairs #foreignrelations #freedom #internationalaffairs #internationalrelations #justice #peace #power #responsibility #selfrestraint

Stevenson, Adlai - Speech (1952-08-27), "The Nature of Patriotism," American Legion Convention, Madison Square Garden, New York City | WIST Quotations

The United States has very large power in the world today. And the partner of power -- the corollary -- is responsibility. It is our high task to use our power with a sure hand and a steady touch -- with the self-restraint that goes with confident strength. The purpose…

WIST Quotations
WIST QuotationsJan 29

A quotation from Marcus Aurelius

Do not forget you are like the rest of the world, and faulty yourself in a great many instances: that though you may forbear from some errors, it is not for want of inclination, and that nothing but cowardice, vanity, or some such base principle hinders you from sinning.
 
[καὶ αὐτὸς πολλὰ ἁμαρτάνεις καὶ ἄλλος τοιοῦτος εἷ: καὶ εἴ τινων δὲ ἁμαρτημάτων ἀπέχῃ, ἀλλὰ τήν γε ἕξιν ἐποιστικὴν ἔχεις, εἰ καὶ διὰ δειλίαν ἢ δοξοκοπίαν ἢ τοιοῦτό τι κακὸν ἀπέχῃ τῶν ὁμοίων ἁμαρτημάτων.]

Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) Roman emperor (161-180), Stoic philosopher
Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 11, ch. 18 (11.18) (AD 161-180) [tr. Collier/Zimmern (1887)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/marcus-aureleus/8169…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #marcusaurelius #marcusaureliusmeditations #humility #humbleness #error, fear #motivation #selfawareness #selfevaluation #selfrestraint #shame #sinfulness

Marcus Aurelius - Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 11, ch. 18 (11.18) (AD 161-180) [tr. Collier/Zimmern (1887)] | WIST Quotations

Do not forget you are like the rest of the world, and faulty yourself in a great many instances: that though you may forbear from some errors, it is not for want of inclination, and that nothing but cowardice, vanity, or some such base principle hinders you from sinning. [καὶ…

WIST Quotations
WIST QuotationsDec 23

A quotation from Euripides

CREON: A woman of hot temper — and a man the same —
Is a less dangerous enemy than one quiet and clever.
 
[ΚΡΈΩΝ: Γυνὴ γὰρ ὀξύθυμος, ὡς δ᾽ αὔτως ἀνήρ,
ῥᾴων φυλάσσειν ἢ σιωπηλὸς σοφή.]

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Medea [Μήδεια], l. 319ff (431 BC) [tr. Vellacott (1963)]

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/euripides/80979/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #euripides #medea #anger #badtemper #cunning #danger #fury #plotting #scheming #selfcontrol #selfrestraint #silence #subtlety #temper #wrath #rage #warningsign

Medea [Μήδεια], l. 319ff (431 BC) [tr. Vellacott (1963)] - Euripides | WIST Quotations

CREON: A woman of hot temper -- and a man the same -- Is a less dangerous enemy than one quiet and clever. [ΚΡΈΩΝ: Γυνὴ γὰρ ὀξύθυμος, ὡς δ᾽ αὔτως ἀνήρ, ῥᾴων φυλάσσειν ἢ σιωπηλὸς σοφή.] Expressing his mistrust of how reasonably, if tragically, Medea is presenting herself. (Source (Greek)).…

WIST Quotations
WIST QuotationsDec 22

A quotation from Joseph Addison

I have often thought if the minds of men were laid open, we should see but little difference between that of the wise man and that of the fool. There are infinite reveries, numberless extravagances, and a perpetual train of vanities which pass through both. The great difference is, that the first knows how to pick and cull his thoughts for conversation, by suppressing some, and communicating others; whereas the other lets them all indifferently fly out in words.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1711-11-17), The Spectator, No. 225

More about this quote: wist.info/addison-joseph/80953…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #josephaddison #blurting #chatter #consideration #conversation #discretion #fool #minds #selfcensorship #selfcontrol #selfrestraint #streamofconsciousness #thoughts #wisdom

Essay (1711-11-17), The Spectator, No. 225 - Addison, Joseph | WIST Quotations

I have often thought if the minds of men were laid open, we should see but little difference between that of the wise man and that of the fool. There are infinite reveries, numberless extravagances, and a perpetual train of vanities which pass through both. The great difference is, that…

WIST Quotations
WIST Quotations Has Moved!Dec 2

A quotation from Euripides

NURSE: Terrible is the temperament of royalty,
   Who are rarely controlled, always imperious;
   It is hard for them to give up their wrath.
   To get used to living like everybody else
   Is better.
 
[ΤΡΟΦΌΣ: δεινὰ τυράννων λήματα καί πως
   ὀλίγ᾽ ἀρχόμενοι, πολλὰ κρατοῦντες
   χαλεπῶς ὀργὰς μεταβάλλουσιν.
   τὸ γὰρ εἰθίσθαι ζῆν ἐπ᾽ ἴσοισιν
   κρεῖσσον.]

Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Medea [Μήδεια], l. 119ff (431 BC) [tr. Podlecki (1989)]

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/euripides/80529/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #euripides #medea #absolutepower #abuseofpower #anger #badmood #badtemper #compromise #equality #power #rage #royalty #selfcontrol #selfrestraint #temper #temperament #tyrant #indignation #grudge #wrath #tantrum

Medea [Μήδεια], l. 119ff (431 BC) [tr. Podlecki (1989)] - Euripides | WIST Quotations

NURSE: Terrible is the temperament of royalty, Who are rarely controlled, always imperious; It is hard for them to give up their wrath. To get used to living like everybody else Is better. [ΤΡΟΦΌΣ: δεινὰ τυράννων λήματα καί πως ὀλίγ᾽ ἀρχόμενοι, πολλὰ κρατοῦντες χαλεπῶς ὀργὰς μεταβάλλουσιν. τὸ γὰρ εἰθίσθαι ζῆν…

WIST Quotations
WIST Quotations Has Moved!Dec 2

A quotation from John Adams

It is in vain to Say that Democracy is less vain, less proud, less selfish, less ambitious or less avaricious than Aristocracy or Monarchy. It is not true in Fact and no where appears in history. Those Passions are the same in all Men under all forms of Simple Government, and when unchecked, produce the same Effects of Fraud Violence and Cruelty. When clear Prospects are opened before Vanity, Pride, Avarice or Ambition, for their easy gratification, it is hard for the most considerate Phylosophers and the most conscientious Moralists to resist the temptation. Individuals have conquered themselves, Nations and large Bodies of Men, never.

John Adams (1735-1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797-1801)
Letter (1814-12-17) to John Taylor

More about this quote: wist.info/adams-john/49248/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #johnadams #ambition #aristocracy #avarice #democracy #greed #humancondition #humannature #mob #monarchy #pride #temptation #vanity #selfcontrol #selfrestraint

WIST Quotations Has Moved!Oct 17, 2025

A quotation from Horace

Anger’s a short frenzy, curb thy Soul,
And check thy rage, which must be rul’d or rule:
Use all thy Art, with all thy force restrain,
And take the strongest Bit, and firmest Rein.
 
[Ira furor brevis est: animum rege; qui nisi paret
imperat; hunc frenis, hunc tu compesce catena.]

Horace (65-8 BC) Roman poet, satirist, soldier, politician [Quintus Horatius Flaccus]
Epistles [Epistularum, Letters], Book 1, ep. 2 “To Lollius,” l. 62ff (1.2.62) (20 BC) [tr. Creech (1684)]

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/horace/1953/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #horace #anger #badtemper #fury #insanity #madness #rage #selfcontrol #selfrestraint #tantrum #temper #wrath

Kent PitmanSep 23, 2025

knowledge is power,
but access ain't permission.
ethics asks restraint.

#haiku #senryu #poem #ShortPoem #SmallPoem #SmallPoems #knowledge #power #restraint #SelfRestraint #ethics

WIST Quotations Has Moved!Aug 14, 2025

A quotation from Bernard Levin

   Almost all of us want to be richer than we are, even if we are very rich indeed. To be sure, there are exceptions; saints, ascetics, those who travel light and will not add even the weight of a wallet, a few whose material ambitions are fully satisfied and who therefore truly want nothing further. But the rest of us want more than we have, and the specially thoughtful sometimes wonder whether there could ever come a time when we didn’t.
   The crucial question, though, leaving out of consideration the exempted categories, is: what are we willing to do to increase our wealth?

Bernard Levin (1928-2004) British journalist, critic, broadcaster, satirist
Essay (1989-03-23), “Do You Seriously Want to Be Swindled?” The Times, London

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/levin-bernard/78387/


#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bernardlevin #avarice #ethics #greedy #limits #morals #profit #prosperity #richest #selfrestraint #wealth

Essay (1989-03-23), "Do You Seriously Want to Be Swindled?" The Times, London - Levin, Bernard | WIST Quotations

Almost all of us want to be richer than we are, even if we are very rich indeed. To be sure, there are exceptions; saints, ascetics, those who travel light and will not add even the weight of a wallet, a few whose material ambitions are fully satisfied and who…

WIST Quotations