This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
V. S. Pritchett, fully Sir Victor Sawdon Pritchett
It is the role of the poet to look at what is happening in the world and to know that quite other things are happening.
Thomas Malthus, fully Thomas Robert Malthus
The laboring poor, to use a vulgar expression, seem always to live from hand to mouth. Their present wants employ their whole attention, and they seldom think of the future. Even when they have an opportunity of saving they seldom exercise it, but all that is beyond their present neccessities goes, generally speaking, to the ale house.
Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it? Why, every fault's condemned ere it be done: Mine were the very cipher of a function, To fine the faults whose fine stands in record, And let go by the actor. Measure for Measure. Act ii. Sc. 2.
Douglas Adams, fully Douglas Noel Adams
This is rather as if you imagine a puddle waking up one morning and thinking, 'This is an interesting world I find myself in — an interesting hole I find myself in — fits me rather neatly, doesn't it? In fact it fits me staggeringly well, must have been made to have me in it!' This is such a powerful idea that as the sun rises in the sky and the air heats up and as, gradually, the puddle gets smaller and smaller, frantically hanging on to the notion that everything's going to be alright, because this world was meant to have him in it, was built to have him in it; so the moment he disappears catches him rather by surprise. I think this may be something we need to be on the watch out for.
We must learn how to explode! Any disease is healthier than the one provoked by a hoarded rage.
Erma Bombeck, fully Erma Louise Bombeck, born Erma Fiste
Never underestimate what it takes to watch someone you love in pain.
For with slight efforts how should we obtain great results? It is foolish even to desire it.
Excess |