This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Words of conciliation to the rakshasas will not bring out any good (Soft words will not have any effect on a rakshasa). In the same way one cannot pacify an immensly wealthy person by offering him material things.
Discussion | Men | Wise |
Ursula Le Guin, fully Ursula Kroeber Le Guin
When we're done with it, we may find—if it's a good novel—that we're a bit different from what we were before we read it, that we have been changed a little, as if by having meet a new face, crossed a street we've never crossed before.
Tommaso Campanella, baptized Giovanni Domenico Campanella
The greater part of the city is built upon a high hill, which rises from an extensive plain, but several of its circles extend for some distance beyond the base of the hill, which is of such a size that the diameter of the city is upward of two miles, so that its circumference becomes about seven. On account of the humped shape of the mountain, however, the diameter of the city is really more than if it were built on a plain.
Religion, in its purity, is not so much a pursuit as a temper; or rather it is a temper, leading to the pursuit of all that is high and holy. Its foundation is faith; its action, works; its temper, holiness; its aim, obedience to God in improvement of self and benevolence to men.
Hsuan Hua, aka An Tzu and Tu Lun
All the various kinds of precepts are aimed at helping people follow the rules. People who follow the rules can help maintain order in society and resolve the problems faced by mankind. Thus, the moral precepts are the basis for world peace.
He that is patient will persevere; and he that perseveres will often have occasion for, as well as trial of patience.
Wise |
Hung Tzu-ch'eng, also Hong Zicheng or Hóng Zìchéng, born Hong Yingming
Making friends requires a few measures of gallantry; cultivating true character needs a bit of innocence.
A tribulation is better than a hundred warnings. (Used to make a point that one learns better from their mistakes or misfortunes rather than the advice of others.)
The world is like that: one gives a melon, the other gets the stomach cramps.
It won't fill a fig seed. (Used to express the insignificance of someone's point in an argument.)
Wise |