Great Throughts Treasury

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

Frederick II, `Frederick the Great’ NULL

King in Prussia from the Hohenzollern Dynasty

"If my soldiers were to begin to think, not one would remain in the ranks."

"If I wished to punish a province, I would have it governed by philosophers."

"A man that seeks truth and loves it must be reckoned precious to any human society."

"Men are not judged by their words… but by their actions."

"The finest day of life is that on which one quits it."

"Every man is a hypocrite."

"Prudence is very inclined to preserve what one possesses, but courage alone knows how to acquire."

"When I find any officer that answers me with firmness, intelligence, and clearness, I set him down in my list for making use of his service on proper occasions."

"All religions must be tolerated, for every man must get to heaven in his own way."

"Every man must get to heaven his own way."

"All religions must be tolerated, and the sole concern of the authorities should be to see that one does not molest another, for here every man must be saved in his own way."

"The greatest and noblest pleasure we have in this world is to discover new truths, and the next is to shake off old prejudices... A man who seeks truth and loves it must be reckoned precious to any human society."

"The greatest and noblest pleasure which we have in this world is to discover new truths, and the next is to shake off old prejudices. "

"He who defends everything defends nothing. "

"What is the good of experience if you do not reflect? "

"Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand. "