Wikipedia:Motto of the day/Nominations/Archive 21

Archive 15Archive 19Archive 20Archive 21Archive 22Archive 23Archive 25


Alternatively, fortune could link to WP:FA, but I know that there have been a lot of FA-based mottos. strdst_grl (call me Stardust) 08:34, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 11:48, 15 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 21:41, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Around the mighty master came
The marvels which his pencil wrought,
Those miracles of power whose fame
Is wide as human thought.

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892), Raphael. The United States Democratic Review, vol. 11, issue 54, pp. 578579580 (December 1842). –pjoef (talkcontribs) 06:55, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 11:48, 15 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit1. Simply south (talk)

Around the mighty master came
The marvels which his pencil wrought,
Those miracles of power whose fame
Is wide as human thought.

Edit 1 per UberScienceNerd.

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 11:48, 15 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved edit 1 per weak consensus. Simply south (talk) 21:41, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Something I came up with, regarding blocking. What do you think? —Coastergeekperson04's talk@May/29/09 03:27

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 11:48, 15 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 21:41, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

This is my first time doing this so I'm unsure as to whether we can use quotes by others; this is a favorite of mine by Gandhi. It's supposed to convey that you must be bold to build Wikipedia. –blurpeace (talk) 18:13, 27 June 2009 (UTC)

  • Comment Just a small note, you should probably use at the start and the world should or usually links to the encyclopaedia itself. Otherwise Support. Simply south (talk) 19:51, 27 June 2009 (UTC)
  • It's perfectly okay to use quotes from other people, as long as you relate it to Wikipedia (commonly by linking, as you did here). If your second link is changed to simply Wikipedia, you have my support. If you choose to do this, you should create an "edit 1" for this motto. Read about how to do so here.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 20:15, 27 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (in favour of edit 1) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:31, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Edit 1. Per Artichoke-Boy and Simply south, changing, "the world" link to Wikipedia. Making a few more edits, and correcting the quote. Tell me what you think. –blurpeace (talk) 22:30, 27 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 11, 2009 (per WP:SNOW) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:31, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

I came up with this saying a while ago, and applied it to WP:DRNC, which I find to be an important Wiki-topic. I don’t think the motto is too difficult to understand. But to avoid any confusion, it simply means that just because there is no YES, does not mean that it's a NO, and you shouldn’t jump to conclusions (e.g. reverting based on no consensus).  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 01:04, 27 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 10, 2009 (per WP:SNOW) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:27, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Lamp oil, rope, bombs? You want it? It's yours, my friend, as long as you have enough rupees.

Another CD-i reference, this quote is spoken by the shopkeeper in Link: The Faces of Evil. Some of my links could use improvement if you have better ideas. UberScienceNerd Talk Contributions 19:12, 4 June 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no complete consensus. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:39, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 9, 2009 (per consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:21, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Every bond you break,
Every step you take,
I’ll be watching you.

These are some lines from "Every Breath You Take," a great song by Sting.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 21:04, 19 June 2009 (UTC)

  • Oppose: Vandalism is a bond and CUV is breaking those bonds? I don't like that interpretation at all. And the other part sounds too much like stalking to me, since it says that we will be watching the the development of articles. Chamal talk 03:31, 20 June 2009 (UTC)
  • Honestly, I didn't mean for this motto to sound so negative, as you explained it to be. As for the whole "vandalism, bond" issue, I simply meant to say that vandalism is a harmful bond between an article and a user, but it can be broken by methods of WP: CUV (cleaning up vandalism). Also, what's so bad about keeping up with ("watching") the development of articles? I don't expect you to change your vote, I'm just trying to clarify the message that I was trying to convey with this motto. Feel free to make some suggestions (links, wording) that could make the motto better as well.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 15:32, 20 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (no consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:18, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

A famous quote from Martin Luther King Jr. Hopefully the links are okay.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 20:10, 18 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (in favour of edit 1) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:16, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Edit 1. I'm getting some negative feedback on the WP: NOT link. I've changed it here to WP: VAND, which was actually by first link idea. I made it WP: NOT, though, because I thought the vandalism link was much too overused.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 20:11, 19 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 8, 2009 (per consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:16, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

When two elephants fight, the grass gets hurt.

This is about edit wars. Noneofyour (talk) 17:56, 18 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (in favour of edit 1) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:10, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

When two elephants fight, the grass gets hurt.

Edit 1: per Juliancolton (last link changed to WP:CONTENT). –pjoef (talkcontribs) 07:48, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 7, 2009 (per consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:10, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

This is a not-so-well-known quote from "Bart the Fink," an episode of The Simpsons. I knew I could apply the saying to Wikipedia some how...and I ended up with this.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 20:18, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

Oppose per FUI This is getting very repetitive now. See Wikipedia:Motto of the day/Nominations/Archive 16#Even if you dress a monkey in silk, it is still a monkey and Wikipedia:Motto of the day/Nominations/Archive 20#→A pig painted gold is still a pig Simply south (talk) 20:45, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (no consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:05, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Followed by probably a not-so-good one. Simply south (talk) 19:45, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (no consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:03, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Simply south (talk) 09:52, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 6, 2009 (per consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:01, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Charity isn't the only thing that can help those in need, you can too.

Noneofyour (talk) 18:35, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

  • Comment: It's us (editors) that make up the Wikiprojects too, so whether you contribute to the development through a collaboration in a Wikiproject or you do it alone, it's pretty much the same thing. I thought it makes Wikiprojects look like something else, something we are not associattd with. Chamal talk 01:11, 17 June 2009 (UTC)
  • Oppose - I agree with Chamal's statement above. I also feel that we should not be referring to working with the wikiprojects as "charity." It makes the wikiprojects, vital and important parts of the Wikipedia process comprised of alot of dedicated people, sound like pan-handlers, standing on a streetcorner asking people is they have any spare edits. Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:13, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (no consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:56, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, "Take It Easy", first single by the Eagles (May 1, 1972), opening track on the band's debut album, Eagles, and it is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 06:55, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

Comment: I know that achieving the FA status is a "hard job" but I used those links just for this reason. So, take it easy and keep it simple! –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:25, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (no consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:54, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Sometimes you can't win a war without help.

It took some time to find links but once I found them I felt stupid for not thinking of them. Noneofyour (talk) 16:37, 12 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined per WP:SNOW. Simply south (talk) 19:53, 27 June 2009 (UTC)

I believe I heard this catchy little slogan in a car ad. Hopefully it suffices as an MOTD.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 19:41, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 22:26, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

  • Neutral - I can agree with NutiK, many people argue if wikipedia is a reliable source. However I do like the links for 'influenced by many'. Noneofyour (talk) 14:24, 12 June 2009 (UTC)
    • Irate Reply - I didn't say anything about whether or not we are a reliable source, and I'd thank you not to put words in my mouth. Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:35, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
      • Comment - I'm sorry, I thought that was what you meant. Noneofyour (talk) 16:01, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
        • Reply - No, that's not what I was going for at all. Indeed, I consider Wikipedia to be as reliable as any print encyclopedia, if not more so (though you're obviously right that people argue about it). The point that I was trying to make was that, in being influenced by the "many," we are also defined by the many; indeed, in large part we are defined by the fact that we ARE influenced by the many. As I said in my original comment, the difference is largely semantic, since I think what the motto is trying to say is that because we are influenced by many, no single person or group can define us, which is an equally valid sentiment (and which is why I offered the motto my weak support instead of opposing it). Sorry if I snapped at you. Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:22, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 19:53, 27 June 2009 (UTC)

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

This is a pretty well-known saying.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 20:02, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit 1. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 10:15, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Edit 1 per Nutiketaiel's suggestion.

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 3, 2009 (per consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 10:15, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

Samuel Butler (1612–1680), Hudibras, Part I, Canto III (1663) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 06:42, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

Re-Reply: He has been unmasked and his accounts have been suspended (^___^). –pjoef (talkcontribs) 15:01, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
Reply - Wouldn't that mean that he is in fortune's power, since he no longer has the power to control his own accounts? Nutiketaiel (talk) 17:09, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
It may be, but there is a good chance that it might not be, and vice versa. It depends on the perspective from which it is interpreted. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 17:50, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 10:07, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

This is a line from Altaïr, a character in the game Assassin's Creed. I thought after looking at it that may do well as a motto for a day, so i suggested it. Feel free to butcher it or remove if needed. TomStar81 (Talk) 07:50, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit 1. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 10:00, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

Edit 1- Per my suggestions above. Nutiketaiel (talk) 18:55, 10 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 2, 2009 (per consensus) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 10:00, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

I don't know if things have changed around here, but this is the kind of thing that would have been classified as "bland" a month ago :P Anyway, this is the best I can come up with... my brain's rusty. Chamal talk 13:53, 12 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/July 1, 2009. Enough additional votes have been added to form a consensus. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:12, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

Awards aren't very important, but once you get it you realize that you aren't proud that you got it, you are proud of what you did to get it.

Noneofyour (talk) 16:14, 10 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 30, 2009. Enough additional votes have been added to form a consensus. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:09, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

I just made this up one day. Noneofyour (talk) 17:23, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 29, 2009. Enough additional votes have been added to form a consensus. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:05, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

There’s a time and place for everything

What more can I say? Artichoke-Boy (talk) 16:22, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

  • Support ~ This is a version of there is a time for everything. Some sources:

    “Remember: there is tyme and place for euery thynge.” ~ Alexander Barclay (1476–1552)/Sebastian Brant (1457–1521), The Ship of Fools (1494)

    “But there is a time and place for everything, and sometimes the warmest admirer of ale would prefer the lymph of the hill-side fountain to the choicest ale that ever foamed in tankard from the cellars of Holkham. Here are the lines most faithfully rendered” ~ George Borrow (1803–1881), Wild Wales, Chapter IVII, "The Fairies’ Well", (1862).

    It's a good one. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 07:48, 18 May 2009 (UTC)
  • Weak Support - The WP:NOW link, while amusing, doesn't seem to add much to the quote. Still, there's nothing wrong with it and it does seem to work as written, so I'm OK with it. Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:57, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - not enough discussion. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 10:13, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Umm, I think we can vote again, but I'm not sure about this. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 06:54, 9 June 2009 (UTC)
Reply - Nobody "votes," as Wikipedia is not a democracy. You express your opinion in an effort to work towards a consensus. As you have already expressed your opinion, doing so again is generally redundant unless you have something new to add to the conversation. And shame on both of you for using the dreaded v-word.  :-P Nutiketaiel (talk) 12:14, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per weak consensus. Simply south (talk) 11:47, 15 June 2009 (UTC)

I felt that as long as we were being honest,
and that we didn't bend the truth to accomplish another goal...
we'd be able to tell the story the way it happened.

Hopefully the links aren't too confusing on this one.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 18:30, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. Simply south (talk) 22:27, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

Every great mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied.

As you may have guessed, I'm looking at quotes on mistakes SpitfireTally-ho! 18:39, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. Simply south (talk) 22:27, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.

I'm pretty confident about this one. IMO it accurately stresses the fact that a single edit can essentially render an article useless. –Juliancolton | Talk 17:31, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. Simply south (talk) 22:27, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Links could be better, as ever SpitfireTally-ho! 18:38, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

Reply: We don't need to be in a rush and you don't need to apologize. Don't worry, you have not made a mistake (^___^)! It is not a mandatory requirement to close a motto that has been used before and any discussion on this page that is more than two weeks old may be closed (approved, rejected, or reopened). Our beloved archivist, Simply south, will be unable to edit for the next week. (see: Decisions→Archival, Closing procedure and Scheduling procedure.) And, if you have any problems, leave me a message and I'll try my best to help you and our project. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:38, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - withdrawn per FUI. Simply south (talk) 22:27, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.

I quite like this one, hope people don't mind the first link? If you do just say so, also, can anyone think of a link for "grow beyond what you were"? Maybe better to leave it unlinked? SpitfireTally-ho! 18:33, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per weak consensus. Simply south (talk) 22:27, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

This is a world full of strong opinions,
you just have to know where to find them.

I wanted to have a motto centering around Wikipedia essays...an important aspect of Wikipedia that's pretty much left out at MOTD.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 18:38, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW. Simply south (talk) 13:48, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

This is a world full of strong opinions,
you just have to know where to find them.

Edit 1. Alternate linking.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 23:38, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of original. Simply south (talk) 13:48, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

Does this work? Simply south (talk) 18:12, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

  • Oppose - Hmmm... I don't think the link works. "Know thy enemy" implies, to me, a prejudgement which assuming good faith would normally preclude. Still, I could be wrong, and I'm interested in hearing other interpretations. Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:20, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:33, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 13:45, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

The onus is on us.

~AH1(TCU) 21:59, 7 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 23, 2009. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 07:10, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore.

This is a saying, said by Rumi, that I've always found to be interesting. Naturally, it was only a matter of time before I turned it into an MOTD a possible MOTD.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 21:12, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 22, 2009. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 07:07, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

The only thing more rewarding then helping someone.
Is helping someone in need.

This one's about the backlog...something I was just introduced to yesterday.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 19:37, 5 June 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Retaliation (Sir Joshua Reynolds) (1774) –pjoef (talkcontribs) 07:39, 11 May 2009 (UTC)

Support. Interesting quote. Few suggestions though: 1) maybe linking "His" to "WP: editor" or "WP: USER" would be better, and 2) maybe it's just me, but the last two links seem kind of confusing. Maybe you should change them if other users say you should too. My vote's still support though. Artichoke-Boy (talk) 22:43, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Comment: Given that I'm joking and that I never vote for my proposed mottos... do you really thing that WP:Editor or WP:USER are better than BETTER (^________^)??? I'm kidding (^__^), it makes sense and [probably] both links are better than "better" (^__^). About the last two links: well, in the last line, "his pencil" is linked to Special:Contributions and it is related to wikipedians/contributors/editors [obv.], so I thought to use WP:AWARDS for his manners (again related to editors) and WP:FPORT as the result of our efforts. If we link the first occurrence of his pencil to another "thingy" (^__^) (a.k.a. WP:Editor or WP:USER...) then we could change WP:AWARDS with WP:BETTER. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:05, 18 May 2009 (UTC)
  • Weak Oppose - It's not that bad, I guess, though the quote is a little rambling. I don't like linking to WP:GEP- linking to a historical page is OK sometimes, but this one is a page that hasn't been used in almost three years and who's function has been replaced by other pages, like the tea page. Additionally, I don't like including the word "bland" in the link to the manual of style. It's not there to make the pages bland, it's there to help raise and maintain the overall quality of the prose of the encyclopedia. Nutiketaiel (talk) 12:13, 18 May 2009 (UTC)
  • Weak Oppose - I can see the point you're making, but it's a bit confusing and rambling. Also, I agree with Nutiketaiel about the WP:GEP link. strdst_grl (call me Stardust) 14:36, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:33, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Does this work? Simply south (talk) 09:43, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit 1. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Fix up. edit 1. Simply south (talk) 19:54, 22 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved edit 1 per consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Maybe on a slow news day

Everyone will probably hate me for this. (Please correct the link if i have the user who first said it wrong) Simply south (talk) 19:41, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 21:52, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

If fighting in a salt-marsh, you should have water and grass near you, and get your back to a clump of trees.

The idea is, you have reliable sources to assist you in the editing of the article, and you have to establish notability to kind of secure a place for the article. Chamal talk 15:33, 23 April 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 21:52, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Everybody likes a kidder, but nobody lends him money

Edit... 3 I think we're up to now?- I thought this link might help salvage the quote. Everybody likes the occasional prank or joke on April Fool's Day, but we're not about to reward somebody for it, especially when so many get out of hand (and so many editors have sticks up their butts about the whole thing). In any case, it's better than saying we like vandals. Nutiketaiel (talk) 12:15, 20 April 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - not enough discussion. Simply south (talk) 21:52, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:43, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

I'm not sure about the external link, but this is the catchphrase of clumsy Steve Urkel. Any 80's and 90's sitcom fan would understand. —Coastergeekperson04's talk@Jun/02/09 00:57

  Declined (per WP:SNOW) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.

Written by strdst_grl (call me Stardust) 10:05, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 17, 2009 (per consensus) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.

As always, I'm doubtful, but it's worth a shot. –Juliancolton | Talk 13:12, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 16, 2009 (per consensus) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right.

Underlines some ways to deal with edit wars, I think :). Not sure about the second link, feel free to oppose, all comments are appreciated SpitfireTally-ho! 18:13, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 15, 2009 (per consensus) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

John Bunyan (1628–1688), The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come, Part 1, The Author’s Apology for His Book (1678). –pjoef (talkcontribs) 07:07, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 14, 2009 (per WP:SNOW) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

The cogs that keep the wheel turning

Not sure where i heard this or i have made it up. I'm not sure. Simply south (talk) 13:29, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

I was concise, clear and to the point (^____^). –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:50, 28 May 2009 (UTC)
  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 13, 2009 (per consensus) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

If you're going to do it...why not do it in style?

A little saying I made up, or got from somewhere else. I forget which one. Either way, here it is.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 22:10, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 12, 2009 (per WP:SNOW) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

A diamond in the rough

Simply south (talk) 22:48, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined (In favor of Edit 1, below) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

A diamond in the rough

An alternative. Simply south (talk) 11:47, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. Simply south (talk) 09:43, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 11, 2009 (per consensus) Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure this saying hasn't been used already as an MOTD. Also, I'm fully aware that there are exceptions to the 3RR-block...but I hope you think of it as "in general."  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 18:27, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - withdrawn\Frequently used idea. Simply south (talk) 15:58, 2 June 2009 (UTC)

Maybe its a little ugly linking the whole thing? But I can't think of where to put the link if not everywhere, any ideas? SpitfireTally-ho! 18:35, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Linking Alternative: How about " The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one"?  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 19:30, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 10, 2009. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:17, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Focusing too hard on the needle will prevent you from seeing the haystack.

My take on the famous "needle and haystack" saying.  ARTICHOKE-BOY  (Talk) 19:43, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 9, 2009. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:14, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Every dog deserves two bites

I got this one from 4 star General Nimitz in a World War 2 book. Noneofyour (talk) 17:15, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

Many people vandalism in their history on Wikipedia, however, that doesn't mean they can't be trusted and can get another as users don't get blocked from editing if they do vandalism once. Noneofyour (talk) 17:22, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit 1. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:10, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Every dog deserves two bites

Edit 1, per comment above SpitfireTally-ho! 18:06, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 8, 2009. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:10, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

It's okay to bend the rules, but you should never break them.

It might not be original, but I came up with it myself. —Coastergeekperson04's talk@May/26/09 03:52

  Approved per WP:SNOW for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 7, 2009. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:06, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Fairly obvious, but I don't think anyone's done it yet. strdst_grl (call me Stardust) 14:17, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 6, 2009. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 09:01, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Ours is not to question why,
Ours is just to do or die.

Written by strdst_grl (call me Stardust) 10:11, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

  • Oppose: A good quote, for sure, one of my favourite poems, but I dislike the linking, "question why" is linked to edit warring, which makes 0% sense to me, care to shed some light? But the link I disagree with the most is the link to WP:Block, basically its saying anyone who does not edit constructivly should be blocked, but that is not in keeping with WP:AGF, and further more, if some one takes a wiki-break or what-not, well surely we should not block them? SpitfireTally-ho! 11:36, 26 May 2009 (UTC)
  • Oppose. It scares me a little, you know, 'Improve or Get Blocked!' Maybe the text could also be changed to its original format, per Spitfire. Wikiert T S C 14:08, 26 May 2009 (UTC)
    • Coming back to this, I'm not sure I chose the best links, although it is one of my favourite quotes (and I've always heard it as 'ours' not 'theirs', sorry I got it wrong). I'll try to find a different set of links to go with it - any suggestions? strdst_grl (call me Stardust) 16:42, 26 May 2009 (UTC)
      • Comment: hehe, no problem, its a tricky one for which to think of links for, so congratulations to you for trying, I'll try and throw a few ideas around in my head, but as I said, its tricky so I can't promise I'll come up with anything (no reason some one else, or yourself, shouldn't, though), all the best SpitfireTally-ho! 16:50, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit 2. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:56, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Edit 1: Theirs is not to question why,
Theirs is just to do or die.

With corrected quote and new links. Is this better? strdst_grl (call me Stardust) 10:32, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  • Very Weak Support - Well, this is certainly an improvement over the original version. I like the first three links, but I'm not fond of the implied threat at the end. Perhaps if we linked WP:IMPROVE to the entire phrase "to do or die." How does that sound? Nutiketaiel (talk) 11:34, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit 2. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:56, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Edit 2: Theirs is not to question why,
Theirs is just to do or die.

Edit 2, as per Nutiketaiel's suggestion above. I realise nearly no-one's commented on Edit 1 yet, but this just makes it simple to refer to the two clearly. strdst_grl (call me Stardust) 19:59, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/June 5, 2009. –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:56, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.

Maybe, maybe not, (desperately trying to think of what to put in these summaries) SpitfireTally-ho! 18:51, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW. Simply south (talk) 15:15, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Too bland? Too much beatles? Too soon? Simply south (talk) 12:42, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW. Simply south (talk) 20:34, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Bigger isn't always better! Artichoke-Boy (talk) 16:23, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW. Simply south (talk) 20:34, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.

This is a Chinese proverb (hence the arrow link). If anyone has any proposal for a link to "yourself," feel free to speak up. Artichoke-Boy (talk) 22:37, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Response to Gaia Octavia Agrippa: I linked "open the door" to WP: POL to convey the message that adopters aid in opening up Wikipedia's policies and guidelines to new users, the most essential things to be familiar with in order to contribute to Wikipedia to the fullest extent. I'm going to leave the motto as is...I think that removing the link would take a lot away from the motto. Artichoke-Boy (talk) 19:46, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW. Simply south (talk) 20:34, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

This is an anonymous quote that I read recently. Artichoke-Boy (talk) 23:54, 11 May 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit 1. Simply south (talk) 20:34, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

To take it more literally, this seemed possibly close as another alternative. Simply south (talk) 19:02, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

Reply: Thanks for the alternative. I like the Featured Picture theme (I assume we don't get much of those as a MOTD). Artichoke-Boy (talk) 19:41, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved edit 1 per consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:34, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

I can understand if this doesn't make it that maybe the theme is too overused, but I think it's worth a shot. Artichoke-Boy (talk) 20:19, 11 May 2009 (UTC)

  • Support - Hmm, seems fine. Though my mind went to something else when I read the making love bit...Juliancolton | Talk 20:31, 11 May 2009 (UTC)
  • Strong support: W00t! Go Beatles! Dendodge T\C 20:42, 11 May 2009 (UTC)
  • Support - The them is overused, but boy, I'm a sucka for the Beatles. SimonKSK 18:15, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
  • Support: I don't like the first link so much. You don't need to leave Wikipedia to "balance the books". Anyway, I was a hugeeee fan of those four guys from Liverpool when I was around 7–8 (a.k.a. early 1970s) /o\ ... So, it get my support in any case (^___^).
    + Suggestions:
    1. remove the first link
    2. remove And, in the end
    3. change the first link with WP:CEATC, WP:EW,...
    4. leave it as it is.

    pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:26, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

  • Weak Oppose - I like the last part of the quote alot, but "in the end" kind of ruins it for me. I don't like emphasizing the right to vanish- it's like we're encouraging people to leave, or saying that eventually everybody will leave (the first we should not be doing, the second is not true in my opinion). However, if we remove "And, in the end, " the quote would have my Strong Support. Nutiketaiel (talk) 12:06, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved original per greater consensus. Simply south (talk) 20:34, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Edit 1 per Nutiketaiel's and Pjoef's comments.

  Declined in favour of original

I have returned!! for a little while... SimonKSK 15:23, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per WP:SNOW. Simply south (talk) 20:34, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.

Lord George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824), Don Juan, Canto III (1819–1824) Hmm... I'm not sure about this one! –pjoef (talkcontribs) 08:32, 4 May 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. Simply south (talk) 11:28, 18 May 2009 (UTC)