About WIST

WIST is my collection of quotations I find meaningful, moving, amusing (intended or not), well-phrased, and/or to which I just say I “Wish I’d Said That.”

I’ve been collecting quotes, aphorisms, maxims, and sig lines since junior high (which is more years ago than I care to relate). I read books of quotations for fun. I dog-ear pages in books I’m reading so that I can come back later and copy particularly good turns of phrase. And, more recently, I quickly jot quotes I see down on my PDA so I can have a record of them.

When I first put together a quotations collection (a hard-copy effort, given as a Christmas gift to people who didn’t mind something that was cheap if it had the personal touch), I called the collection “WIST” for “Wish I’d Said That.”

That name is important because … well, it’s not altogether true. This is not just a collection of quotations whose sentiments I agree with (though that’s true for a lot of stuff here). In some cases there are ideas that I disagree with, firmly; in those cases, though, I’ve included the quote either because I admire the way it’s phrased, or else I thought it was so absurd, it made me smile just to read it.

But me repeat that in big, bold lettering, so that people don’t miss it:

Just because I quote it here doesn’t mean I agree with it.In other words, don’t e-mail me a complaint just because I quoted someone saying something you object to.

Now, the fact is, I do agree with most of what I quote here. Hopefully it will become pretty obvious when I don’t (or, again, when it isn’t a matter of agreement, but just enjoying a particular expression of thought). And, of course, there are some quotations where I agree with them sometimes, disagree with them other times.

So if I don’t always wish I’d said something, why not change the name? Tradition, I suppose, plus it’s a handy catch phrase.

If you have any comments, corrections, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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4 Responses to About WIST

  1. spacer nat says:
    8-Dec-10 at 10:11pm

    Hi! I recently found your site and it’s great. Thank you!
    I’m a very fan of quotes myself. I do the same as you, leaving dog-ear pages in most of the books I read.
    I do -as one of my freelance works- the selection of quotes for this site: www.educared.org.ar/comunidades/tamtam/
    You can see it here: www.educared.org.ar/comunidades/tamtam/?cat=90 but it’s in Spanish, and I’m thinking of doing a special site for them, so I can put in their original language, sometime, or quotes that are not meaningfull for young people (this site if for children and young people). I’ll keep you post it if I do it!

    Reply
  2. spacer nat says:
    8-Dec-10 at 10:12pm

    And please, sorry for my English. It’s not as good as I would like!

    Reply
  3. spacer Paula D. Lopez says:
    21-Oct-14 at 10:54am

    Hello,

    I’d like to inquire if it’s possible to purchase adverting space on your website.

    If there is any space available please let me and we could discuss further details.

    Looking forward to your positive reply.

    Reply
    • spacer Dave says:
      22-Oct-14 at 8:01am

      No, I do not sell advertising on WIST, but thank you for asking.

      Reply

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