This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
John Hay, fully John Milton Hay
Who would succeed in the world should be wise in the use of his pronouns. Utter the You twenty times, where you once utter the I.
The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself.
Character | Competition | Man | Wise |
A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.
Roger L'Estrange, fully Sir Roger L'Estrange
Much tongue and much judgment seldom go together.
Call him wise whose actions, words, and steps are all a clear because to a clear why.
Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof; it is a temporary expedient, often wise in party politics, almost sure to be unwise in statesmanship.
Character | Good | Politics | Statesmanship | Wise |
It is a common sense and self-interest to refrain from lashing out immediately to avenge an injury. A higher level of humanity is entirely overcoming feelings of vengeance in one’s heart. This is the glory of the morally wise man.
Character | Common Sense | Feelings | Glory | Heart | Humanity | Man | Self | Self-interest | Sense | Vengeance | Wise |
It is as wise to moderate our belief as our desires.