Swift’s First Law
Jonathan Swift
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.
Tacitus’s Laws
Cornelius Tacitus
The unknown always passes for the marvelous (Agricola).
It is human nature to hate the man whom you have injured (Agricola).
It has been thought more pious and reverential to believe in the actions of the gods than to inquire about them (Germania).
The desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion (Histories).
The gods are on the side of the stronger (Histories).
Wrongs done to the gods are the gods’ concern (Annals).
Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt (Annals).
There is some injustice in every great precedent which though injurious to individuals has its compensation in the public advantage (Annals).
More faults are often committed while we are trying to oblige than while we are giving offence (Annals).
The Dixon Effect
John Allen Paulos
If you make enough predictions a few are bound to be correct. The hits are likely to be remembered, the misses forgotten, and you will win fame and possibly fortune as a forecaster of the future.
Thurber’s Morals
James Thurber
It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers
(’The Scotty Who Knew Too Much’).
You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backward
(’The Bear Who Let It Alone’).
Early to rise and early to bed makes a male healthy and wealthy and dead
(’The Shrike and the Chipmunks’).
There is no safety in numbers or in anything else
(’The Fairly Intelligent Fly’).
Udall’s Law
Morris K. Udall
If you can find something everyone agrees on, it’s wrong.
Ulmann’s Razor
Mitchell Ulmann
When stupidity is a sufficient explanation, there is no need to have recourse to any other.
Valéry’s Law
Paul Valéry
That which has always been accepted by everyone everywhere is almost certain to be false.
Van der Post’s Observation
Laurens van der Post
Human beings are perhaps never more frightening than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right.
Vanbrugh’s Second Law
John Vanbrugh
He laughs best who laughs last.
Webster’s Axiom
John Webster
‘Tis better to be fortunate than wise.
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