This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Viktor Frankl, fully Viktor Emil Frankl
Seen from this point of view, the mental reactions of the inmates of a concentration camp must seem more to us than the mere expression of certain physical and sociological conditions. Even though conditions such as lack of sleep, insufficient food and various mental stresses may suggest that the inmates were bound to react in certain ways, in the final analysis it becomes clear that the sort of person the prisoner became was the result of an inner decision and not the result of camp influences alone. Fundamentally, therefore, any man can, even under such circumstances, decide what shall become of him--mentally and spiritually. He may retain his human dignity even in a concentration camp. Dostoevski said once, 'There is only one thing that I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings.' These words frequently came to my mind after I became acquainted with those martyrs whose behavior in camp, whose suffering and death, bore witness to the fact that the last inner freedom cannot be lost. It can be said that they were worthy of their sufferings; the way they bore their suffering was a genuine inner achievement. It is this spiritual freedom--which cannot be taken away--that makes life meaningful and purposeful.
All are wicked to some extent or other. Therefore, everyone needs correction; and everyone has to be educated and guided into the right path.
Enhancement of individual growth and success shall unequivocally lead to national prosperity.
Ursula Le Guin, fully Ursula Kroeber Le Guin
Science fiction is often described, and even defined, as extrapolative. The science fiction writer is supposed to take a trend or phenomenon of the here-and-now, purify and intensify it for dramatic effect, and extend it into the future. If this goes on, this is what will happen. A prediction is made. Method and results much resemble those of a scientist who feeds large doses of purified and concentrated food additive to mice, in order to predict what may happen to people who eat it in small quantities for a long time. The outcome seems almost inevitably to be cancer. So does the outcome of extrapolation. Strictly extrapolative works of science fiction generally arrive about where the Club of Rome arrives: somewhere between the gradual extinction of human liberty and the total extinction of terrestrial life.
Business | Prediction | Time | Will | Business |
V. S. Pritchett, fully Sir Victor Sawdon Pritchett
The attitude to foreigners is like the attitude to dogs: Dogs are neither human nor British, but so long as you keep them under control, give them their exercise, feed them, pat them, you will find their wild emotions are amusing, and their characters interesting. [Of London]
Awakening | Care | Man | Men | Prison | Public | Training | War |
I almost think it is the ultimate destiny of science to exterminate the human race.
Dreams |
A great while ago the world begun, with hey, ho, the wind and the rain; But that's all one, our play is done, And we'll strive to please you every day. Twelfth Night, or, What You Will (Duke at V, i)
Receive |
And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. Coriolanus, Act ii, Scene 3
But I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly. Macbeth, Act iv, Scene 2
People |
Be not easily won to our requests; play the maid's part: still answer nay, and take it.
But like of each thing that in season grows. Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act i, Scene 1
Affliction | Dreams | Will |
Dry up in her the organs of increase, and from her derogate body never spring. A babe to honor her. King Lear, Act i, Scene 4
It is not only our duty to pray for others, but also to desire the prayers of others for ourselves.
Heaven |
Britain, the queen of isles, our fair possession secur'd by nature, laughs at foreign force; her ships her bulwark, and the sea her dike, sees plenty in her lap, and braves the world.
Poverty |