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

Italian Proverbs

That that comes of a cat will catch mice.

Day | Faith | Reality | Reason | Will | World |

Italian Proverbs

Trouble shared is trouble halved.

Children | Day | Depression | Despair | Effort | Knowledge | Life | Life | Parents | Suicide | World | Wrong | Child |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Always after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.

Day | Giving |

Italian Proverbs

You don't go to heaven in a carriage.

Day | Existence | Golden Rule | Rule | Scripture | Story | Study | World | Golden Rule |

Italian Proverbs

Wine, women, and tobacco reduces one to ashes.

Day | Practice |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Arrow! Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and I have always recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!

Day |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

But it is said: Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger. The choice is yours: to go or wait.' 'And it is also said,' answered Frodo: 'Go not to the Elves for counsel for they will answer both no and yes.' 'Is it indeed?' laughed Gildor. 'Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.

Better | Day | Debt | Experiment | Family | Life | Life | Need | Rest | Sense | Will | Following |

Italian Proverbs

Wise men change their minds, fools never.

Ability | Attention | Day | Good | Greed | Habit | People | Selfishness |

J. B. S. Haldane, fully John Burdon Sanderson Haldane

A discussion between Haldane and a friend began to take a predictable turn. The friend said with a sigh, 'It's no use going on. I know what you will say next, and I know what you will do next.' The distinguished scientist promptly sat down on the floor, turned two back somersaults, and returned to his seat. 'There,' he said with a smile. 'That's to prove that you're not always right.'

Day |

Italian Proverbs

Who lives by hope will die of hunger.

Day | Energy | Tomorrow | Will |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.

Better | Day |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I will not give you counsel, saying do this, or do that. For not in doing or contriving, nor in choosing between this course and another, can I avail; but only in knowing what was and is, and in part also what shall be.

Anger | Behavior | Courage | Experience | Listening | Model |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I had a mind to make a body of more or less connected legend, ranging from the large and cosmogonic, to the level of romantic fairy-story - the larger founded on the lesser in contact with the earth, the lesser drawing splendor from the vast backcloths - which I could dedicate simply to: to England; to my country. ... I would draw some of the great tales in fullness, and leave many only placed in the scheme, and sketched. The cycles should be linked to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, wielding paint and music and drama.

Day | Will |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Fool of a Took! he growled. This is a serious journey, not a hobbit walking-party. Throw yourself in next time, and then you will be no further nuisance.

Behavior |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Do I not say truly, Gandalf,' said Aragorn at last, 'that you could go whithersoever you wished quicker than I? And this I also say: you are our captain and our banner. The Dark Lord has Nine. But we have One, mightier than they: the White Rider. He has passed through the fire and the abyss, and they shall fear him. We will go where he leads.

Behavior | Good | Organic |