Great Throughts Treasury

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

Valerius Maximus

Latin Writer and Author of Historical Anecdotes

"To love our parents is the first law of nature."

"I have often repented speaking, but never of holding his tongue."

"He (Solon) considered that no one ought to be called happy as long as he was alive."

"Patience, when too often outraged, is converted into madness."

"The divine wrath is slow indeed in vengeance, but it makes up for its tardiness by the severity of the punishment."

"Where there exists the most ardent and true love, it is often better to be united in death than separated in life."

"Moderation is the mother of good health."