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

Evelyn Underhill

And so we take a holiday, a vacation, to gain release from this bondage for a space, to stand back from the rush of things and breathe again. But a holiday is a respite, not a cure. The more we need holidays, the more certain it is that the disease has conquered us and not we it. More and more holidays just to get away from it all is a sure sign of a decaying civilization; it was one of the most obvious marks of the breakdown of the Roman empire. It is a symptom that we haven't learned how to live so as to re-create ourselves in our work instead of being sapped by it. A car should always be charging its battery as it runs. If it simply uses up without putting back, it has to go into dock to be recharged. It is not a sign that we are running particularly well if we are constantly needing to go into dock.

Evil | Extreme | Love | Object | Time | Truth | Vision | World |

Evelyn Waugh, fully Evelyn Arthur St. John Waugh

These memories, which are my life--for we possess nothing certainly except the past--were always with me.

Nothing | Race | Soul | Survival | Vision |

Evelyn Waugh, fully Evelyn Arthur St. John Waugh

My unhealthy affection for my second daughter has waned. Now I despise all my seven children equally.

Chance | Heaven | Knowing | Little | Man | Nothing | Race | Soul | Survival | Vision | World |

Evelyn Glennie, fully Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie

My role on the planet is to bring the power of sound.

Size |

Evelyn Glennie, fully Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie

I think I can only help to expose percussion to all sorts of people. The balance between the lighter and more serious side is important.

Feisal Abdul Rauf

The world wants to like America.

Ideals | Vision | World |

Ezra Taft Benson

Occasionally, we receive questions as to the propriety of Church members receiving government assistance instead of Church assistance. Let me restate what is a fundamental principle. Individuals, to the extent possible, should provide for their own needs. Where the individual is unable to care for himself, his family should assist. Where the family is not able to provide, the Church should render assistance, not the government.

Better | Choice | Good | Important | Mother | Perfection | Principles | Qualities | Right | Think |

Felix Adler

Statesmen and Philanthropists are busy suggesting remedies for the cure of these great evils. But the renovation of our Civil Service, the reform of our Primaries, and whatever other measures may be devised, they all depend in the last instance upon the fidelity of those to whom their execution must be entrusted. They will all fail unless the root of the evil be attacked, unless the conscience of men be aroused, the confusion of right and wrong checked, and the loftier purposes of our being again brought powerfully home to the hearts of the people.

Change | Evolution | Human nature | Life | Life | Light | Mankind | Means | Men | Nature | Object | Perfection |

Ezra Taft Benson

I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land. I testify that the God of Heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and He has sent other choice spirits — even you who read my words — to preserve it.

God | Gratitude | Mind | Will | God |

Feisal Abdul Rauf

In the Muslim world, there are many people who have been vocal and we have been very vocal against extremists. But how to win this battle is an ongoing battle. And we must continue to wage the battle for peace.

Vision | World |

Felix Adler

There is a universal element in man which he can assert by so acting as if the purpose of the Universe were also his purpose. It is the function of the supreme ordeals of life to develop in men this power, to give to their life this distinction, this height of dignity, these vast horizons.

Absence | Emotions | Evil | Vision |

Italian Proverbs

Six hours sleep for a man, seven for a woman, and eight for a fool.

Policy |

Italian Proverbs

Revenge a hundred years old has still its milk-teeth.

Politics | Vision | Will |

Italian Proverbs

Summer is the mother of the poor.

Democracy | Good | Means | Vision |

Italian Proverbs

One devil knows another.

Truth | Vision |

Italian Proverbs

The same fire purifies gold and consumes straw.

Vision | Work |

J. B. S. Haldane, fully John Burdon Sanderson Haldane

The conservative has but little to fear from the man whose reason is the servant of his passions, but let him beware of him in whom reason has become the greatest and most terrible of the passions. These are the wreckers of outworn empires and civilizations, doubters, disintegrators, deicides.

Age | Boys | Magic | Time | Vision |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

But to Sam the evening deepened to darkness as he stood at the Haven; and as he looked at the grey sea he saw only a shadow in the waters that was soon lost in the West. There he stood far into the night, hearing only the sigh and murmur of the waves on the shores of Middle-Earth, and the sound of them sank deep into his heart.

Technology | Vision | Will |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I should think so-in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Makes you late for dinner! I can't see what anybody sees in it.

Capacity | Vision |