Great Throughts Treasury

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

Related Quotes

David Hume

The proper office of religion is to regulate the heart of men, humanize their conduct, infuse the spirit of temperance, order, and obedience.

Conduct | Heart | Men | Obedience | Office | Order | Religion | Spirit |

Helen Keller. aka Helen Adams Keller

I have an unshakable belief that mankind’s higher nature is on the whole still dormant. The greatest souls reveal excellencies of mind and heart which their lesser fellows possess – hidden.

Belief | Heart | Mankind | Mind | Nature |

Helen Keller. aka Helen Adams Keller

Sick or well, blind or seeing, bond or free, we are here for a purpose and however we are situated, we please God better with useful deeds than with many prayers or pious resignation. The temple or church is empty unless the good life fill it. The altar is holy if only it represents the altar of our heart upon which we offer the only sacrifices ever commanded – the love that is stronger than hate and the faith that overcometh doubt.

Better | Church | Deeds | Doubt | Faith | God | Good | Hate | Heart | Life | Life | Love | Pious | Purpose | Purpose | Resignation | Deeds | God |

Julian of Norwich NULL

This is the reason why we have no ease of heart or soul, for we are seeking our rest in trivial things which cannot satisfy... He [alone] is true rest... Nothing less will satisfy us.

Heart | Nothing | Reason | Rest | Soul | Will |

Lao Tzu, ne Li Urh, also Laotse, Lao Tse, Lao Tse, Lao Zi, Laozi, Lao Zi, La-tsze

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. It’s the only path to serenity.

Care | Heart | Money | People | Security | Serenity | Will | Work | Approval |

Martin Luther King, Jr.

One day we shall win freedom, but not for ourselves. We shall so appeal to your heart and conscience that we shall win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.

Conscience | Day | Freedom | Heart | Will |

Chi His K’ang

Always repenting of wrongs done will never bring my heart to rest.

Heart | Rest | Will |

Douglas MacArthur

Built me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and when he is afraid... whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee... whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men.

Deeds | Enough | Heart | Lord | Men | Will | Wishes |

Muhammad, also spelled Mohammad, Mohammed or Mahomet, full name Muhammad Ibn `Abd Allāh Ibn `Abd al-Muttalib NULL

The heart of the old is always young in two things, in love for the world and length of hope.

Heart | Hope | Love | World | Old |

Mahanirvana Tantra, Tantra of the Great Liberation NULL

He, the eternal, dwells concealed in the heart of all beings. Though himself devoid of all senses, he is the illuminator of all the senses, the source of their powers.

Eternal | Heart |

H. C. Mattern

The way to happiness: keep your heart free from hate, your mind free from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others. Do as you would be done by.

Hate | Heart | Life | Life | Little | Love | Mind | Self | Worry | Think |

Golda Meir, originally named Goldie Mabovitch, later Goldie Myerson

Those who do not know how to weep with their whole heart don’t know how to laugh either.

Heart |

Nezahualcoyotl NULL

What does your mind seek? Where is your heart? If you give your heart to each and every thing, you lead it nowhere; you destroy your heart. Can anything be found on earth?

Destroy | Earth | Heart | Mind |

Philip Novak

Authentic humanity evolves to the extent that blind egotism erodes. To expand the heart and mind in ever-wider circles of empathy so that, starting with oneself, those circles embrace one’s family, one’s community, one’s nation, and finally humanity - this is the Confucian aim.

Empathy | Family | Heart | Humanity | Mind |

Friedrich Nietzsche, fully Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

The belief in authority is the source of conscience; which is therefore not the voice of God in the heart of man, but the voice of some men in man.

Authority | Belief | Conscience | God | Heart | Man | Men | God |

Guru Nanak

Make divine knowledge thy food, compassion thy store-keeper, and the voice which is in every heart the pipe to call to repast.

Compassion | Heart | Knowledge |

Thomas Paine

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

Business | Conduct | Conscience | Death | Distress | Esteem | Heart | Little | Love | Man | Principles | Reflection | Smile | Strength | Will | Business |