This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Ancrene Wisse, aka Ancrene Riwle NULL
You ought to say fewer fixed prayers so that you may do more reading. Reading is good prayer. Reading teaches us how to pray, and what to pray for, and then prayer achieves it. In the course of reading, when the heart is pleased, there arises a spirit of devotion which is worth many prayers.
Devotion | Good | Heart | Prayer | Reading | Spirit | Worth |
Prophets… lifted in ecstasy above the natural operation of their minds by the impulses of the Divine Spirit, were inspired to utterance, the Spirit making use of them as a flute-player breathes into his flute.
Henri Bergson, aka Henri-Louis Bergson
The great error of the doctrines on the spirit has been the idea that by isolating the spiritual life from all the rest, by suspending it in space as high as possible above the earth, they were placing it beyond attack, as if they were not thereby simply exposing it to be taken as an effect of mirage!
Nikolai Berdyaev, fully Nikolai Alexandrovich Berdyaev, also spelled Nichlas Berdiaev
Spirit is man’s whole creative act. Spirit is freedom, and freedom has its roots in the depths of pre-existential being.
The human spirit has fashioned its prayers out of its loneliness, its persuasion of being something other than earthdust or star-dust.
Loneliness | Persuasion | Spirit |
Gilbert Keith "G.K." Chesteron
Facts as facts do not always create a spirit of reality, because reality is a spirit.
Religion is not mere conformity to moral law, it is an espousal of moral ideals, a dedication of the heart, a loyal devotion, the perpetual renewal of a right spirit within us.
Conformity | Dedication | Devotion | Heart | Ideals | Law | Moral law | Religion | Right | Spirit |
The heights of the spirit can only be climbed by passing through the gates of humility.
In your daily life, you can treat people you meet in a way that strengthens them in spirit through genuine interest or respect… not a patronizing or false sense of sincerity… but rather a genuine curiosity and respect for each individual you meet… Your actions do make a lasting impact on each person you encounter. It’s an enormous responsibility to take seriously how you treat the people in your life, and a great joy to know you have acted with caring, warmth, and love.
Curiosity | Individual | Joy | Life | Life | Love | People | Respect | Responsibility | Sense | Sincerity | Spirit | Respect |
Mahatma Gandhi, fully Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, aka Bapu
The spirit of nonresistance… is the greatest force because it is the highest expression of the soul.