This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
From the very beginning of a person’s life one learns that the purpose of life is not uninterrupted pleasure. Every infant suffers pains and illnesses. We should not perceive illness and pain as negative. Suffering teaches us humility. We learn that we do not have complete power over ourselves.
Beginning | Character | Humility | Life | Life | Pain | Pleasure | Power | Purpose | Purpose | Suffering | Learn |
Often have I heard it said, What good thing you can do, do not defer it.
Cheerfulness sharpens the edge and removes the rust from the mind. A joyous heart supplies oil to our inward machinery, and makes the whole of our powers work with ease and efficiency.
Character | Cheerfulness | Efficiency | Heart | Mind | Work |
Unrequited love is the meaning of life. We’re here to love but not to be loved, to give but not receive. Our mission in this world is to improve humanity and leave a better history than we found. Only selfless love has such power. Only love without interest or expectation of reward can change human beings... To give love without receiving love is the truest love and brings the greatest happiness there is in life.
Better | Change | Character | Expectation | History | Humanity | Life | Life | Love | Meaning | Mission | Power | Receive | Reward | World | Expectation | Happiness |
He, whose first emotion on the view of an excellent production is to undervalue it, will never have one of his own to show.
The sad truth is that excellence makes people nervous.
Character | Excellence | People | Truth | Excellence |
Embellish the soul with simplicity, with prudence, and everything which is neither virtuous nor vicious. Love all men. Walk according to God; for, as a poet hath said, his laws govern all.
Character | God | Love | Men | Prudence | Prudence | Simplicity | Soul | Govern |
The perfection of moral character consists in this, in passing every day as the last, and in being neither violently excited nor torpid nor playing the hypocrite.
Character | Day | Perfection |
Self-control and understanding, righteousness and courage, there is nothing in life more profitable than these.
Character | Control | Courage | Life | Life | Nothing | Righteousness | Self | Self-control | Understanding |
A good character when established should not be rested in as an end, but only employed as a means of doing still further good.