This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Men of sense often learn from their enemies. Prudence is the best safeguard. This principle cannot be leaned from a friend, but an enemy extorts it immediately. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war. And this lesson saves their children, their homes, and their properties.
Children | Enemy | Friend | Lesson | Men | Prudence | Prudence | Sense | War | Learn |
Vices are ingredients of virtues just as poisons are ingredients of remedies. Prudence mixes and tempers them and uses them effectively against life's ills.
The greatest good is prudence; wherefore prudence is a more precious thing even than philosophy; from it spring all the other virtues.
Good | Philosophy | Prudence | Prudence |
The beginning and the greatest good is prudence. Wherefore prudence is a more precious thing even than philosophy; for from prudence are spring all the other virtues, and it teaches us that it is not possible to live pleasantly without living prudently and honorably and justly, nor, again, to live a life of prudence, honor and justice without living pleasantly. For the virtues are by nature bound up with the pleasant life, and the pleasant life is inseparable from them.
Beginning | Good | Honor | Justice | Life | Life | Nature | Philosophy | Prudence | Prudence |
It is a work of prudence to prevent injury, and of a great mind, when done, not to revenge it. He that hath revenge in his power, and does not use it, is the great man; it is for low and vulgar spirits to transport themselves with vengeance. To endure injuries with a brave mind is one half the conquest.
Conquest | Man | Mind | Power | Prudence | Prudence | Revenge | Vengeance | Work |
Want is a bitter and hateful good, because its virtues are not understood; yet many things, impossible to thought, have been by need to full perfection brought; the daring of the soul proceeds from thence, sharpness of wit and active diligence; prudence at once, and fortitude it gives; and, if in patience taken, mends our lives.
Daring | Diligence | Fortitude | Good | Need | Patience | Perfection | Prudence | Prudence | Soul | Thought | Wit |
The effects of opposition are wonderful. There are men who rise refreshed on hearing of a threat; men to whom a crisis which intimidates and paralyzes the majority - demanding, not the faculties of prudence and thrift, but comprehension, immovableness, the readiness to sacrifice - comes graceful and beloved as a bride.
Bride | Majority | Men | Opposition | Prudence | Prudence | Sacrifice | Thrift | Crisis |
Alexis de Tocqueville, fully Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville
A man who raises himself by degrees to wealth and power, contracts, in the course of this protracted labor, habits of prudence and restraint which he cannot afterwards shake off. A man cannot gradually enlarge his mind as he does his house.
Labor | Man | Mind | Power | Prudence | Prudence | Restraint | Wealth |
Henry Peter Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux
Make sobriety a habit, and intemperance will be hateful; make prudence a habit, and reckless profligacy will be as contrary to the nature of the child, grown or adult, as the most atrocious crimes, are to any of us.
Intemperance | Nature | Prudence | Prudence | Will |