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

H. L. Mencken, fully Henry Louis Mencken

The Americans are the illegitimate children of the English.

Anger |

H. L. Mencken, fully Henry Louis Mencken

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.

Fear | Good |

Italian Proverbs

Still water breeds vermin.

Fear | Future | Hope | Think |

Italian Proverbs

Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Peace | Happiness |

Italian Proverbs

Of the great and of the dead either speak will or say nothing.

Control | Failure | Patience | Wisdom | World | Failure |

Italian Proverbs

One bird in hand is better far Than two that in the bushes are.

God | Sin | Wisdom | God |

Italian Proverbs

The first blow is as good as two.

Courage | Mankind | Men | Peace | Strength | Tears | Will |

Italian Proverbs

There are many roads to Rome.

Anger | Enough | Will |

Italian Proverbs

There's no getting to heaven in a coach.

Censor | Fear | People | Think |

Italian Proverbs

The mother of idiots is always pregnant.

Fear |

Italian Proverbs

When the wind serves, all aid.

Wisdom |

Italian Proverbs

Who hath little shame the world is all his own.

Danger | Extreme | Fear | Danger |

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

As I lay in prison, Sam, I tried to remember the Brandywine, and Woody End, and The Water running through the mill at Hobbiton. But I can't see them now.

Age | Control | Education | Need | Old age | Poverty | Slavery | World | Old |

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

A tree there tower Tall and branching That house upholding The hall's wonder Its leaves their hangings Its limbs rafters Its mighty bole In the midst standing.

Fear | Love | Right |

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

A principal source of happiness to them was their shared love for their family...Tolkien was immensely kind and understanding as a father, never shy of kissing his sons in public even when they were grown men, and never reserved in his display of warmth and love.

Evidence | Example | Failure | Fear | Friend | Relationship | Remorse | War | Failure |

J. B. Priestly, fully John Boynton Priestly

Most writers enjoy two periods of happiness - when a glorious idea comes to mind and, secondly, when a last page has been written and you haven't had time to know how much better it ought to be.

Experience | Fear | Illusion | World |

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

I will not give you counsel, saying do this, or do that. For not in doing or contriving, nor in choosing between this course and another, can I avail; but only in knowing what was and is, and in part also what shall be.

Anger | Behavior | Courage | Experience | Listening | Model |

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

I am old, Gandalf. I don't look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved indeed! Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can't be right. I need a change, or something.

Fear |

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

It will not do to leave a live dragon out of your plans if you live near one.

Little | Will | Wisdom |

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

GANDALF: 'I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure, and it's very difficult to find anyone.' BILBO: 'I should think so, in these parts. We're plain, quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things, they make you late for dinner.

Wisdom |