Great Throughts Treasury

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

William Alexander, fully Sir William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling

Scottish Poet, Courtier and Developer of Scottish Colonization

"Pride hated stands, and doth unpitied."

"Words but direct, example must allure."

"Those that think them wise, are greatest fools."

"Yet with great toil all that I can attain by long experience, and in learned schools, is for to know my knowledge is but vain, and those that think them wise, are greatest fools."

"Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring."

"The weaker sex, to piety more prone."

"Of all the tyrants that the world affords, our own affections are the fiercest lords."

"Modern education too often covers the fingers with rings, and tat the same time cuts the sinews at the wrist."