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Wikipedia:Motto of the day/Nominations/Archive 17

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Latest comment: 15 years ago by Queenie
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New facts created daily.

Draws attention to all the new topic pages helping to grow Wikipedia. Hackaday (talk) 01:45, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected per WP:SNOW. Queenie Talk 19:31, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

→ There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

From Wikiquote. –Juliancolton Tropical Cyclone 20:00, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected in favour of Edit 1. Queenie Talk 19:24, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

→ There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edit 1 per Julian.

Can someone tell me what the difference is between this one and the original? Simply south not SS, sorry 15:56, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

Reply - The first link (light) was originally to Knowledge, not Portal:Contents/Outline of knowledge. Nutiketaiel (talk) 17:19, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/March 2, 2009. Queenie Talk 19:24, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

→ Nobody ever said it was safe.

Dumb? Please suggest better links if you can. Chamal talk 14:40, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected per consensus. Seems to be a case of WP:SNOW. Queenie Talk 19:20, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

There's I in Wikipedia, as well as we.

Variation on There's no I in team but for soe reason the last part sounds wrong. Simply south not SS, sorry 19:52, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

There may be an "I" in Wikipedia, but there is also a "we"

edit 1 per The Piano Player. Simply south not SS, sorry 13:41, 1 February 2009 (UTC)

  Approved because it had a lot of drama. ;D SimonKSK 00:58, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

→ Act quickly... but not too quickly.

I saw it on Wikiquote and this was the first thing that came to mind. SobaNoodleForYou 02:52, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 00:56, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

These aren't even oranges, they're yellows. Still, that doesn't mean we should throw them out, since there's no reason not to eat them.

~AH1(TCU) 02:44, 24 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 00:52, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

→ As sunshine, broken in the rill,
Though turned astray, is sunshine still.

Thomas Moore (1779–1852), Lalla Rookh, an Oriental Romance: The Fire Worshippers (1817) –pjoef (talk • contribs) 09:10, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - not enough discussion. Simply south not SS, sorry 11:51, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

  • Weak support + question - Indeed, I had to chew over this one a bit. And I'm not a fan about that repeated WP:EDIANS link. Even with its removal, though, my vote would stay as is. Just to clarify things, what does "broken in the rill" refer to here? —La Pianista (T•C) 06:10, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per admittedly weak consensus for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 26, 2009. Queenie Talk 18:23, 3 February 2009 (UTC)

→ I was very, very drunk!

From The Fast Show. Simply south not SS, sorry 14:52, 25 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected in favour of Edit 1. Queenie Talk 18:13, 3 February 2009 (UTC)

→ I was very, very drunk!

Per La Pianista. I can see why. Simply south not SS, sorry 22:22, 25 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 25, 2009. Queenie Talk 18:13, 3 February 2009 (UTC)

→ Anybody can make history. Only a great man can write it.

Another simplistic motto I found off (guess where?) Wikiquote. Motivational, indeed. For once, I'll withhold my narcissism until I hear what the community thinks. ;) —La Pianista (T•C) 07:06, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

  • A Very Reluctant Weak Oppose - I understand the idea, but it seems to fly in the face of Wikipedia's inclusionist stance. Nutiketaiel (talk) 13:19, 30 January 2009 (UTC)
    • Reply - It could be read that way, though it certainly wasn't my intention (member of the AWWDMBJAWGCAWAIFDSPBATDMTD here). I rather meant it as a motivational message. My main concern, maybe, is that it's a bit too perky. —La Pianista (T•C) 05:08, 31 January 2009 (UTC)
      • Clarification - I didn't mean that kind of inclusionist. I meant that we welcome everyone to edit. To my reading, it says that only a "great man" can be an editor, which, to me, seems to imply that being an accomplished individual is a pre-requisite to becoming an editor, which is not a great message to send. I know that wasn't what you meant (you probably meant that our editors are great, not that you have to be great to be an editor), but I'm worried that that is how it will be read, hense my very reluctant weak oppose. Or, maybe I'm opposing because I want to make it seem like we don't agree all the time so people will stop thinking I have a crush on you (how did that rumor get started?). One or the other.  :-) Nutiketaiel (talk) 19:57, 2 February 2009 (UTC)
        • Well, if you still have worries about that rumor, the fact that your oppose was "very reluctant" is a bit questionable. ;P Almost as questionable as my withdrawal. —La Pianista (T•C) 21:17, 2 February 2009 (UTC)

Withdrawn per Fast News Day's amazing logic. It's not what you think, honest! *blush* —La Pianista (T•C) 21:17, 2 February 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - withdrawn. Simply south not SS, sorry 10:30, 3 February 2009 (UTC)

→ Eating the bitter bread of banishment.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616), King Richard the Second, Act III, Scene i (1623) –pjoef (talk • contribs) 09:13, 19 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected per consensus. Queenie Talk 18:29, 2 February 2009 (UTC)

→ Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty;

William Shakespeare (1564–1616), As You Like It, Act II, Scene iii (1623) –pjoef (talk • contribs) 09:13, 19 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 24, 2009. Queenie Talk 18:22, 2 February 2009 (UTC)

→ Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

I have another one. It replaces "WP:WAR" withWP:BLOCK and people with WP:BAN, to show the diff between a ban and a block. Simon \\ KSK Yes we can! 20:15, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

  Declined per consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 20:50, 1 February 2009 (UTC)

→ This We'll Defend

Number 3. BW21.--BlackWatch21 22:15, 17 January 2009 (UTC)

  Declined per consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 20:50, 1 February 2009 (UTC)

Goodbye world!

I can't remember where this is from. Simply south not SS, sorry 19:16, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected - withdrawn Queenie Talk 18:08, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Alone we can do so little.
Together, we can do so much.

₰imonKSK 22:01, 13 January 2009 (UTC)

  • Support - Hmmm... I have mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand, I like the encouragement for teamwork. On the other, it seems to be implying that a lone editor can only make a stub. Still, that interpretation is a bit of a stretch... OK, it has my support. Nutiketaiel (talk) 13:05, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

  Declined in favour of edit 1. Simply south not SS, sorry 17:19, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Alone we can do so little.
Together, we can do so much.

Edit 1 - ₰imonKSK 12:56, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

  • Re: Replay, I can assure you that I have understood the motto ~l☺l~ and I really don't like the link to FA! This is an excellent motto that speaks for itself, but the FA link doesn't work. IMHO, trying to play down the importance of a FA article is not a good idea. I would liked to use a different link for Alone in my version; I searched for something related to readers, ppl who read wikipedia without contributing to it, but I have not found any. So, I used the WP:MISSYOU because they are no longer contributing to the community. Using my links --or similar ones-- the meaning of the motto is: you can read wikipedia but it is always better to join us and contribute, which is not so bad. –pjoef (talk • contribs) 13:56, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus (just). Simply south not SS, sorry 17:19, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

→ I sometimes go to my own little world, but that's okay, they know me there.

Very Simple, but quite nice I think SpitfireTally-ho! 21:19, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected - Edit 1 approved. Queenie Talk 17:38, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

→I sometimes go to my own little world, but that's okay, they know me there.

Edit 1 per Juliancolton. —La Pianista (T•C) 22:02, 25 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 22, 2009. Queenie Talk 17:38, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.

If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.

If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain.

It's a little long, but this is one of the few poems I'm really fond of, and I think it works for our purposes. It is used at the UN Building in New York City. Nutiketaiel (talk) 13:50, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

  • Support. A great philosophization of the Wikipedia community. However, the second sentence (3-4 out of 6 lines) is a bit odd, do we start watching articles because fellow Wikipedians were vandalised? Also, the "pain" of the second and third sentences are a bit inconsistent with each other. ~AH1(TCU) 01:07, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 21, 2009 TopGearFreak 11:52, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

→ I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.

Two terrible motto suggestions. But then, we're in a desperate situation aren't we? Rescue them with better links if you can. Chamal talk 14:34, 6 January 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - No consensus. TopGearFreak 15:44, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected per weak consensus. TopGearFreak 18:51, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Ich bin ein Berliner.

Said by President Kennedy. Berliner is Wikipedian instead.--What!?Why?Who? (talk) 20:34, 7 January 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. TopGearFreak 21:07, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 20, 2009. TopGearFreak 18:41, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

→ If every man did the little he could—what a different world!

A fairly simple motto reminding everyone that we all need to contribute a little to change the world (since Wikipedia is, after all, the world). Nutiketaiel (talk) 13:14, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 19, 2009 TopGearFreak 18:34, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!

From Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, the second half of the passage refering to the Red Queen's race. Essentially, I'm saying that it takes alot of work to get an article to a GA level and maintain it there- to really get it to excel, you have to work even harder, and it helps to be part of a team (hense the Wikiproject link). I'm not totally satisfied with the "keep" and "twice as fast" links, though, so suggestions are appreciated.

  Reopened - no consensus. TopGearFreak 21:07, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 18, 2009 TopGearFreak 18:30, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

1 + 1 = 3

NO, I don't suck at math. I'm on the honor roll. It means that when you put effort in, you get more than you expected. ₰imonKSK 21:24, 13 January 2009 (UTC)

  • Oppose - I understand the message you're trying to get across, I just don't like the form. Using 1+1=3 just doesn't seem like the best way to get that across. There must be a better way to say it in words without making it look like the entire group of MotD contributors can't add. Nutiketaiel (talk) 13:19, 14 January 2009 (UTC)
  • Reply Lulz. I know. I didn't have the higest hopes for this one, but I don't know how to make this one into something that is not predictable, is good, and does not make us look like idiots. Suggestions? ₰imonKSK 20:59, 14 January 2009 (UTC)
  • Consideration - Isn't there some saying that football coaches write on locker room walls to motivate dumb jocks? Persperation + Determination = Something Else -ation? Something like that? Nutiketaiel (talk) 19:58, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected per consensus. TopGearFreak 18:03, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

I'm a little teapot, short and stout,
Here is my handle and here is my spout.
When I get all steamed up hear me shout:
"Tip me up and pour me out!"

I know this is a nursery rhyme but i thought it would be good in promoting help for new users. However, i think the links are a bit like that previous template one i tried. Any suggestions? Simply south not SS, sorry 14:30, 13 January 2009 (UTC)

    • Reply - Tipping over and pouring out the tea kettle is the way you respond to its requests for assistance (the steaming up and shouting)- in the same manner, adopting someone is a way to respond to their requests for assistance, as referenced in the earlier links. Nutiketaiel (talk) 20:03, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 17, 2009. TopGearFreak 17:57, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

→ It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

Something off Wikiquote - an idea we forget a little too often. —La Pianista (T•C) 03:11, 25 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 20:50, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary.

Chamal talk 14:56, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 20:50, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

→ There are people with whom one does not negotiate.

This one was on terrorism. Maybe a bit harsh, though. Chamal talk 14:04, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 20:46, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

Starting things can be tough.
But you should always
grit, grin, and dive in.

₰imonKSK 20:41, 13 January 2009 (UTC)

  • Support - Excellent message, very good (if predictable) links. A question- does there really need to be a comma at the end of the second line? Maybe it's just me, but a stop there seems... out of place. Nutiketaiel (talk) 13:22, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

  Done ₰imonKSK 20:29, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved for Wikipedia:Motto of the day/February 13, 2009. TopGearFreak 17:27, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

If you don't like the weather, wait a minute

Another meh one, bit given the recent drought of mottoes, I think it might work. –Juliancolton Tropical Cyclone 23:18, 6 January 2009 (UTC)

  • I know the quote. But the quote says If you don't like, wait until it gets better. That does not imply being bold and editing. §imonKSK 23:53, 6 January 2009 (UTC)
  • Actually, the motto implies that if you dislike something, you should take action to fix it. In the case of the original quote, the action is to wait a minute. In the case of my proposed motto, the action is to edit the article to make it better. Cheers, –Juliancolton Tropical Cyclone 00:05, 7 January 2009 (UTC)
  • Strong Oppose - The motto says that, if you don't like something, you should wait around and do nothing and it will change eventually. The links say that, if you don't like something, you should take action to fix it. It's a mixed message, and the first message is not one we want to be sending. Nutiketaiel (talk) 12:26, 7 January 2009 (UTC)
  • Oppose per Nutiketaiel. —La Pianista (T•C) 00:30, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened - no consensus. TopGearFreak 15:48, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected per consensus. TopGearFreak 14:17, 25 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.

A motto I found off Wikiquote that teaches us to respect and accept IPs. It might be a little long, but seeing as some of the longer mottoes have received positive feedback, I think this one has a chance. :) —La Pianista (T•C) 05:29, 9 January 2009 (UTC)

  • OpposeChanging to Neutral: Lines are kind of too long and I don't get what it means at first glance. (Or maybe I'm slow after a whole day at the computer) Chamal talk 14:42, 10 January 2009 (UTC)

Suggestion: How about splitting it in two parts for two consecutive days??? → ...that supports everyone.... ...But it is also... –pjoef (talk • contribs) 09:48, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

  • Comment - There's nothing wrong with a long motto, and I think we're insulting the intelligence of our readers to assume that they lack the attention spans to get through it. Also, it does flow better this way. Nutiketaiel (talk) 12:56, 12 January 2009 (UTC)
    I have nothing against long mottos. In fact I have nominated long ones myself. But a motto should be something that grabs the attention and delivers the message quickly I think. If it forces the reader to think "oh, this means that, so the other one must mean..." that has missed the point. Mottos are something that is put up in some corner of someone's userpage. People read it only when they see it, they don't go looking for it. And when they see it, if it is not like what I said, he won't be interested at all. Chamal talk 15:47, 12 January 2009 (UTC)
  • Reply - I see your point, but this motto really sends a fantastic message, no matter the length, a message that is all to frequently ignored by registered users. I think it deserves our support because the message is so important, even if it is longer than usual. Indeed, perhaps because it is unusually long, people will be intrigued enough to read the whole thing. As long as we use these long mottos sparingly, I think they can be a refreshing change of pace ofr our readers. (And yes, it took me 2 days to come up with that response.) Nutiketaiel (talk) 13:36, 14 January 2009 (UTC)
  • lol OK. You have a point there, so I'll withdraw my oppose. Not supporting though, since this kind of balances against my points but doesn't really overcome them IMHO. Chamal talk 14:17, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 11:50, 24 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

  Rejected per WP:SNOWBALL. TopGearFreak 16:54, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

Listen up!

Once upon a time, an editor said that it's a lot easier to come up with a motto that deals with black and white issues such as vandalism than that deals with featured sound candidates. That editor was right! – wodup – 18:25, 13 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 01:37, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Cheered up himself with ends of verse,
And sayings of philosophers.

Samuel Butler (1612–1680), Hudibras, Part I, Canto iii (1663) ~ This is intended to be humorous (^_^). –pjoef (talk • contribs) 09:10, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 01:40, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

Everyone is not out to get you.
Relax, smile, and offer someone a helping hand.

Not sure about the first one. As always, suggestions are open. ₰imonKSK 20:46, 13 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 01:24, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

Toot and come in

Ye olde saying.

Toot and come in

Choice 1 Simply south not SS, sorry

  Reopened No consensus. Simon \\ KSK Yes we can! 20:34, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. SimonKSK 01:12, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

Toot and come in

Choice 2

Simply south not SS, sorry 01:38, 26 December 2008 (UTC)

  Reopened No consensus. Simon \\ KSK Yes we can! 20:34, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected no consensus. SimonKSK 01:12, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

Toot and come in

Choice 3 per JulianColton.

  Reopened No consensus. Simon \\ KSK Yes we can! 20:34, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

  Rejected no consensus. SimonKSK 01:12, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

Toot and come in

Choice 4 pointing to the sign up page.... and the circle is closed. –pjoef (talk • contribs) 11:54, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

  Reopened No consensus. Simon \\ KSK Yes we can! 20:34, 18 January 2009 (UTC)   Rejected no consensus. SimonKSK 01:12, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

What you see is what you get

aah WYSIWYG. Simply south not SS, sorry 23:14, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

  Declined per consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 23:57, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Whenever a system of communication evolves, there is always the danger that some will exploit the system for their own ends.

A simple point, but a valid one in our context, I think. Nutiketaiel (talk) 13:34, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 23:57, 22 January 2009 (UTC)


→ Welcome to the jungle,
We've got fun and games

How about this? (Sorry SK2) Simply south not SS, sorry 00:26, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

  • Comment - Think about what the fun and games part really means ;). Anyway It's kinda meh. I knew the links before I even hovered over them. §imonKSK 02:16, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 23:57, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Welcome to the jungle,
We've got fun and games

Edit 1 per Nutiketaiel.

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 23:57, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

→ Whisper the sounds...of silence.

It's from a song, but I don't know the name of it. ~AH1(TCU) 00:20, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

  Declined - no consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 23:57, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

It is important to keep in mind that neither success, nor failure, is ever final.

~AH1(TCU) 00:20, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

  Approved per weak consensus. Simply south not SS, sorry 23:57, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

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