John W. “Jack” Raper (1870–1950) was an American journalist. He is famous for his maxims—written as if by his alter ago “Josh Wise,” they were compiled in What This World Needs (1945.)
Raper was born in McArthur, Ohio. His father edited the Scioto Gazette. Raper began newspaper work at 19, worked in several cities, and joined the Cleveland Press in 1899 as its drama critic.
For decades, Raper wrote a daily column called “Most Anything.” It typically started with a down-to-earth, thoughtful reflection or comment by “Josh Wise.” Once a week, he also chronicled events in a fictional small town in his column, “All the News from Hicksville.”
READ: Works by John W. Raper
We have plenty of freedom in this country but not a great deal of independence
—John W. Raper
Topics: Welfare
Sympathy is never wasted except when you give it to yourself.
—John W. Raper
Topics: Hedonism, Self-Pity, Sympathy
There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it.
—John W. Raper
Topics: Action