This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Alain de Lille (or Alanus ab Insulis)
A wise man reflects before he speaks. A fool speaks, and then reflects on what he has uttered.
Knowledge is acquired by study and observation, but wisdom cometh by opportunity of leisure; the ripest thought comes from the mind which is not always on the stretch, but fed, at times, by a wise passiveness.
Knowledge | Leisure | Mind | Observation | Opportunity | Study | Thought | Wisdom | Wise | Thought |
Lucian, aka Lucian of Samosata or Lucianus Samosatensis NULL
The wealth of the soul is the only true wealth.
Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good; and we are then possessed of any good, when we have it so in our power that we can use it when we please... Sorrow is uneasiness in the mind, upon the thought of a good lost, which might have been enjoyed longer; or the sense of a present evil.
Consideration | Evil | Good | Joy | Mind | Power | Present | Sense | Sorrow | Thought | Wisdom | Thought |
Any frontal attack on ignorance is bound to fail because the masses are always ready to defend their most precious possession - their ignorance.
The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. For his supporters will push him to disaster unless his opponents show him where the dangers are. So if he is wise he will often pray to be delivered from his friends, because they will ruin him. But though it hurts, he ought also to pray never to be left without opponents; for they keep him on the path of reason and good sense.
Good | Indispensable | Opposition | Reason | Will | Wisdom | Wise |
Michel de Montaigne, fully Lord Michel Eyquem de Montaigne
A wise man sees as much as he ought, not as much as he can.