This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.
Hsuan Hua, aka An Tzu and Tu Lun
The image of the Buddha on the altar is clearly not a divinity or Sage. It is a representation, an artistic image ... that points back to human who realized the highest wisdom. The Buddha cultivated his nature to an awakened state. The image symbolizes his realization of humanity's potential and aspiration for the highest goodness and compassion. When you bow, symbolically you honor your own potential for great wisdom. Furthermore, bowing is good exercise. It is not idol worship, which is superstitious and passive. Bowing to the Buddha is a practice of a principle; it is dynamic and active.
Anger | Blame | Conduct | Good | Ignorance | Mind | Praise |
Ennui has made more gamblers than avarice, more drunkards than thirst, and perhaps as many suicides as despair.
Much of the glory and sublimity of truth is connected with its mystery. - To understand everything we must be as God.
Censure | Praise | Superiority | Wisdom |
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.
Envy |
Every bad has its worse. (Used to make a point that things can always go even worse and one should make the best of current situation.)
Praise |
Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. We do not copy our neighbors, but are an example to them. It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few. But while the law secures equal justice to all alike in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit. Neither is poverty a bar, but a man may benefit his country whatever be the obscurity of his condition.
Control | Excellence | Justice | Opinion | Play | Public | Reason | Restraint | Spirit | Excellence | Talent |
Thornton Wilder, fully Thornton Niven Wilder
Providence has nothing good or high in store for one who does not resolutely aim at something high or good. A purpose is the eternal condition of success.
A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus and his love Thisbe, very tragical mirth— merry and tragical? Tedious and brief? That is hot ice and wondrous strange snow! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act v, Scene 1
Adultery? Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery? No. The wren goes to 't, and the small gilded fly does lecher in my sight. Let copulation thrive; for Gloucester's bastard son was kinder to his father than my daughters got 'tween the lawful sheets. To 't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers. King Lear, Act iv, Scene 6
Persuasion | Praise | Words |