Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Related Quotes

Ezra Taft Benson

The Founding Fathers understood the principle that “righteousness exalteth a nation”, and helped to bring about one of the greatest systems ever used to govern men. But unless we continue to seek righteousness and preserve the liberties entrusted to us, we shall lose the blessings of heaven. Thomas Jefferson said, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” The price of freedom is also to live in accordance with the commandments of God. The early Founding Fathers thanked the Lord for His intervention in their behalf. They saw His hand in their victories in battle and believed strongly that He watched over them.

Blessings | Dignity | Freedom | Ideals | Individual | Mankind | Mind | Nations | People | Principles | Respect | Respect |

Ezra Pound, fully Ezra Weston Loomis Pound

Humanity is the rich effluvium, it is the waste and the manure and the soil, and from it grows the tree of the arts.

Cause | Dirty | Reading | Will | Worth |

Felix Adler

The exercises of our meeting are to be simple and devoid of all ceremonial and formalism. They are to consist of a lecture mainly, and, as a pleasing and grateful auxiliary, of music to elevate the heart and give rest to the feelings.

Church | Custom | Public |

Ezra Taft Benson

One good yardstick as to whether a person might be the right one for you is this: in her presence, do you think your noblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you wish you were better than you are?

Appearance | Change | Character | Day | Disgrace | Heart | Important | Injustice | Injustice | Joy | Lesson | Pain | Parents | Peace | Play | Resolution | Understanding | Circumstance | Teacher |

Ezra Pound, fully Ezra Weston Loomis Pound

One discards rhyme, not because one is incapable of rhyming neat, fleet, sweet, meet, treat, eat, feet but because there are certain emotions or energies which are nor represented by the over-familiar devices or patterns.

Worth |

Gustave Flaubert

Print: to see one's name in print! - Some people commit a crime for no other reason.

System | Worth |

Gustave Flaubert

Nevertheless the flames did die down -- whether exhausted from lack of supplies or choked by excessive feeding. Little by little, love was quenched by absence; regret was smothered by routine; and the fiery glow that had reddened her pale sky grew gray and gradually vanished... But the storm kept raging, her passion burned itself to ashes, no help was forthcoming, no new sun rose to the horizon. Night closed in completely around her, and she was left alone in a horrible void of piercing cold.

Fortune | World | Worth |

H. L. Mencken, fully Henry Louis Mencken

I believe in the complete freedom of thought and speech ? alike for the humblest man and the mightiest, and in the utmost freedom of conduct that is consistent with living in organized society.

Education | Sacrifice |

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece--by thought, choice, courage and determination.

Worth |

H. L. Mencken, fully Henry Louis Mencken

A fool who, after plain warning, persists in dosing himself with dangerous drugs should be free to do so, for his death is a benefit to the race in general.

Earth | Heart | Life | Life | Man | Smile | Will | Worth |

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

A kiss on the beach when there is a full moon is the closest thing to heaven.

Worth |

H. L. Mencken, fully Henry Louis Mencken

I hate all sports as rabidly as a person who likes sports hates common sense.

Worth |

H. L. Mencken, fully Henry Louis Mencken

Judge: a law student who marks his own examination-papers.

Worth |

H. L. Mencken, fully Henry Louis Mencken

Jury: A group of twelve man who, having lied to the judge about their hearing, health, and business engagements, have failed to fool him.

Worth |

H. L. Mencken, fully Henry Louis Mencken

Jealousy is the theory that some other fellow has just as little taste.

Worth |

Italian Proverbs

No one should take in an eating pawn.

Italian Proverbs

The difficult thing is to get foot in the stirrup.

Books | Future | Wonder | Words |

Italian Proverbs

No one ever became poor through giving alms.

Art | Design | Sense | Technology | Thinking | Will | Art |

Italian Proverbs

War makes robbers, and peace hangs them.

Authenticity | Good | Life | Life | Meaning | Means | Mystery | Thought | Worth | Thought |