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

William Shakespeare

PETRUCHIO: It shall be what o'clock I say it is. HORENSIO: Why, so this gallant will command the sun.

Good |

William Shakespeare

Our courteous Antony, whom ne'er the word of 'no' woman heard speak, being barbered ten times o'er, goes to the feast, and for his ordinary pays his heart for what his eyes eat only.

Man | Music | Right | Wrong |

William Shakespeare

One will of mine to make thy large Will more.

Music |

Edwin Percy Whipple

A composition which dazzles at first sight by gaudy epithets, or brilliant turns or expression, or glittering trains of imagery, may fade gradually from the mind, leaving no enduring impression; but words which flow fresh and warm from a full heart, and which are instinct with the life and breath of human feeling, pass into household memories, and partake of the immortality of the affections from which they spring.

Little | Man |

Sejong the Great, aka King Sejong, family name Yi, given name Do NULL

Although those of superior ranks are wiser than their subordinates and should be able to make the right decisions, the subordinates must not hesitate to correct their superiors, if they feel with certainty that the latter’s decisions are wrong.

Neglect | Wise |

Hu Shih, or Hú Shì

On the basis of biological, sociological, and historical knowledge, we should recognize that the individual self is subject to death or decay, but the sum total of individual achievement, for better or worse, lives on in the immortality of The Larger.

Poetry | Writing | Friends |

Kautilya, aka Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta NULL

The biggest guru-mantra is: never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you.

Kill | Men | Wise |

Kautilya, aka Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta NULL

Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.

Wealth | Wise |

Ishvarakrishna, aka Iśvarakṛṣṇa NULL

The primary dispositions are innate; the acquired ones, like virtue and the rest, depend on the instruments. The uterine germ and the rest belong to the effect.

Action |

Prince Shōtoku, born Shotoku Taishi, aka Prince Umayado or Prince Kamitsumiya

Do not fail to obey the commands of your Sovereign. He is like Heaven, which is above the Earth, and the vassal is like the Earth, which bears up Heaven. When Heaven and Earth are properly in place, the four seasons follow their course and all is well in Nature. But if the Earth attempts to take the place of Heaven, Heaven would simply fall in ruin. That is why the vassal listens when the lord speaks, and the inferior obeys when the superior acts. Consequently when you receive the commands of your Sovereign, do not fail to carry them out or ruin will be the natural result.

Envy | Men | Will | Wise |

Prince Shōtoku, born Shotoku Taishi, aka Prince Umayado or Prince Kamitsumiya

Ministers and officials should attend the Court early in the morning and retire late, for the whole day is hardly enough for the accomplishment of state business. If one is late in attending Court, emergencies cannot be met; if officials retire early, the work cannot be completed.

Control | Distinguish | Dread | Heart | Majority | Men | Right | Rule | Wise | Think |

Kautilya, aka Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta NULL

Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.

Thought | Wise | Thought |

Prince Shōtoku, born Shotoku Taishi, aka Prince Umayado or Prince Kamitsumiya

Good faith is the foundation of right. In everything let there be good faith, for if the lord and the vassal keep faith with one another, what cannot be accomplished? If the lord and the vassal do not keep faith with each other, everything will end in failure.

Antiquity | Duty | Man | Men | Office | Praise | Right | Sound | Will | Wise |

Kautilya, aka Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta NULL

The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.

Knowledge | Man | Purpose | Purpose | Time | Wise |

Egyptian Proverbs

The wise man never takes a step too long for his leg.

Man | Wise |

Egyptian Proverbs

The woman who does not covet the possessions of her husband is in love with another man.

Man | Wise |

Elif Safak

The Iron Rule of prudence for an Istanbulite Woman: If you are as fragile as a tea glass, either find a way to never encounter burning water and hope to marry an ideal husband or get yourself laid and broken as soon as possible. Alternatively, stop being a tea-glass woman!

Light | Child |

Elias L. Magoon

Under the assumption of profound esteem, the flatterer wears an outward expression of fidelity, as foreign to his heart as the smile upon the face of the dead.

Good | Policy |

William Shakespeare

Shine comforts from the east, That I may back to Athens by daylight From these that my poor company detest; And sleep, that sometimes shuts up sorrow's eye, Steal me awhile from mine own company.

Art | Beauty | Death | Enough | Evil | Father | Fortune | God | Good | Government | Heart | Rage | Shame | Tears | Vengeance | Virtue | Virtue | Government | Art | Beauty | God |

William Shakespeare

Silence often of pure innocence Persuades, when speaking fails.