Great Throughts Treasury

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

Nicolas Caussin

French Jesuit Priest, Theorist of the Passions and Author

"The cloud which appeared to the prophet Ezekiel carried with it winds and storms, but it was environed with a golden circle, to teach us that the storms of afflictions, which happen to God’s children, are encompassed with brightness and smiling felicity."

"It often happens that those of whom we speak least on earth are best known in heaven. "

"Never to judge rashly; never to interpret the actions of others in an ill-sense, but to compassionate their infirmities, bear their burdens, excuse their weaknesses, and make up for their defects—to hate their imperfections, but love themselves, this is the true spirit of charity."

"If there be a paradise for virtues, there must be a hell for crimes."

"Piety is a silver chain uniting heaven and earth, temporal and spiritual, God and man together."

"Solid devotions resemble the rivers which run under the earth—they steal from the eyes of the world to seek the eyes of God; and it often happens that those of whom we speak least on earth, are best known in heaven."

"They say that love and tears are learned without any master; and I may say that there is no great need of studying at the court to learn envy and revenge."

"We should render thanks to God for having produced this temporal light, which is the smile of heaven and the joy of the world, spreading it like a cloth of gold over the face of the air and earth, and lighting it as a torch, by which we may behold his works."