Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Mary Ellen Chase

American Scholar, Teacher, Scholar and Author

"The greatest danger in any argument is that real issues are often clouded by superficial ones, that momentary passions may obscure permanent realities."

"Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind."

"There is no substitute for books in the life of a child."

"It is quite possible to leave your home for a walk in the early morning air and return a different person ? beguiled, enchanted."

"Manual labor to my father was not only good and decent for it's own sake but, as he was given to saying, it straightened out one's thoughts."

"Of all the excellent teachers of college English whom I have known I have never discovered one who knew precisely what he was doing. Therein have lain their power and their charm."