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

Elif Safak

I slept peacefully that night, feeling exultant and determined. Little did I know that I was making the most common and the most painful mistake women have made all throughout the ages: to naively think that with their love they can change the man they love.

Devil | Focus | Need | Think |

William Shakespeare

So mak'st thou faith an enemy to faith; and, like a civil war, sett'st oath to oath, thy tongue against thy tongue.

Devil | Hope | Life | Life | Memory |

William Shakespeare

SIR TOBY BELCH: Does not our life consist of the four elements? SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK: Faith, so they say, but I think it rather consists of eating and drinking. SIR TOBY BELCH: Thou'rt a scholar; therefore let us eat and drink.

Devil | Will |

William Shakespeare

Some falls the means are happier to rise. Cymbeline (Caius Lucius at IV, ii)

Devil | Fright | Will |

Elizabeth Gilbert

A family in my sister's neighborhood was recently stricken with a double tragedy, when both the young mother and her three-year-old son were diagnosed with cancer. When Catherine told me about this, I could only say, shocked, Dear God, that family needs grace. She replied firmly, That family needs casseroles, and proceeded to organize the entire neighborhood into bringing that family dinner, in shifts, every single night, for an entire year. I do not know if my sister fully recognizes that this IS grace.

Devil |

Emanuel Swedenborg, born Emanujel Swedberg

It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able to confirm whatever he pleases; but to be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false, this is the mark and character of intelligence.

Angels | Devil | Heaven | Satan |

Emily Brontë, fully Emily Jane Brontë, aka pseudonym Ellis Bell

You teach me now how cruel you've been - cruel and false. Why did you despise me? Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort. You deserve this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me, and cry; and wring out my kisses and tears: they'll blight you - they'll damn you. You loved me - what right had you to leave me? What right - answer me - for the poor fancy you felt for Linton? Because misery, and degradation, and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have parted us, you, of your own will did it. I have no broken your heart - you have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine. So much the worse for me that I am strong. Do I want to live? What kind of living will it be when you - Oh, God! would you like to lie with your soul in the grave?

Devil | Duty | Mind | Pity |

Emily Brontë, fully Emily Jane Brontë, aka pseudonym Ellis Bell

You have been compelled to cultivate your reflective faculties for want of occasions for frittering away your life on silly trifles.

Angels | Devil | Heaven | Love | Time |

English Proverbs

Caution is the parent of safety.

Devil |

English Proverbs

Every man has a fool in his sleeve.

Devil | Man |

English Proverbs

He who would catch fish must not mind getting wet.

Devil |

English Proverbs

When the fox preaches, take care of your geese.

Devil |

English Proverbs

The difference is wide that sheets will not decide.

Devil |

English Proverbs

The devil looks after his own.

Devil |

English Proverbs

The devil rebuking sin.

Devil |

English Proverbs

The devil is not so black as he is painted.

Devil | Work |

English Proverbs

The devil knows many things because he is old.

Devil |

English Proverbs

The devil lurks behind the cross.

Devil | Looks |

Ernest Hemingway, fully Ernest Miller Hemingway

I've seen a lot of patriots and they all died just like anybody else if it hurt bad enough and once they were dead their patriotism was only good for legends; it was bad for their prose and made them write bad poetry. If you are going to be a great patriot, i.e., loyal to any existing order of government (not one who wishes to destroy the existing for something better), you want to be killed early if your life and works won't stink.

Devil | Love | Man | Poetry |

Estonian Proverbs

The fish who is in the weir will want out, who is outside will want inside the weir.

Devil |