This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
William Dement, fully William Charles Dement
We're beginning to realize that drowsiness or sleep deprivation, fatigue, is beginning to outstrip alcohol as a cause of accidents in transportation, particularly on the highway,
Bertrand Russell, fully Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell
Perhaps the essence of the Liberal outlook could be summed up in a new decalogue, not intended to replace the old one but only to supplement it. The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows: Do not feel absolutely certain of anything. Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed. When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter. Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.
And I made a rural pen, And I stained the water clear, And I wrote my happy songs Every Child may joy to hear.
Forgiveness of enemies can only come upon their repentance.
Think not thou canst sigh a sigh and thy maker is not by; think not thou canst weep a tear and thy maker is not near.
I think humor is a very serious thing. I use it as a way of weakening the reader's defenses so that I can more easily take him to something more.
Wishes |
Good government is known from bad government by this infallible test: that under the former the laboring people are well fed and well clothed, and under the latter, they are badly fed and badly clothed.
Poverty |
How rev'rend is the face of this tall pile, whose ancient pillars rear their marble heads, to bear aloft its arch'd and pond'rous roof! By its own weight made steadfast and immovable. Looking tranquillity! It strikes an awe and terror to my aching sight! The tombs and monumental caves of death look cold, and shoot a chillness to my trembling heart.
Will Durant, fully William James "Will" Durant
Destroy it. There may be a redistribution of the land, but the natural inequality of men soon re-creates an inequality of possessions and privileges, and raises to power a new minority with essentially the same instincts as the old.
Angels | Day | God | Hope | Indignation | Little | Obedience | Rule | God |
Wilhelm von Humboldt, fully Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Karl Ferdinand von Humboldt
Every man, however good he may be, has a yet better man dwelling in him, which is properly himself, but to whom nevertheless he is often unfaithful. It is to this interior and less mutable being that we should attach ourselves, not to be changeable, every-day man.
Children |
Will Rogers, fully William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers
There is one rule that works in every calamity. Be it pestilence, war or famine, the rich get richer and poor get poorer. The poor even help arrange it.
Business | Individual | Need | Nothing | Business |
Will Rogers, fully William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers
Why, every lot out here has its own agent. Agents get rich out here just off the various commissions on one lot. If an agent handles two lots he opens up a branch office and has an assistant.
Wilferd Peterson, fully Wilferd Arlan Peterson
Good will is not a single quality. It is a composite of all the qualities of the spirit, applied to daily living.
Walt Whitman, fully Walter "Walt" Whitman
Now I will do nothing but listen to accrue what I hear into this song. To let sounds contribute toward it. I hear the sound I love. The sound of the human voice. I hear all sounds running together.