This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
My mission is to kill time, and time's to kill me in its turn. How comfortable one is among murderers.
Merit |
What an artist learns matters little. What he himself discovers has a real worth for him, and gives him the necessary incitement to work.
Emil G. Hirsch, fully Emil Gustav Hirsch
This is the final test of the truth or untruth of a constructive or disintegrating philosophy of life. What increases man's sense of power, and therefore, for him, the content of life, is true. What tends to the diminishing of the store of moral resiliency and of the energy needed for resisting as well as for onward pushing is corrupting, and therefore marked by falsehood's taint.
Emanuel Swedenborg, born Emanujel Swedberg
Such as the love is, such is the wisdom, consequently such is the man.
Abundance | Body | Conversation | Eternal | Experience | Life | Life | Means | Meditation | Money | Need | People | Reading | Spirit | Time | World | Think | Understand |
Ellen Key, fully Ellen Karolina Sofia Key
Why is the heart that is broken considered so much more valuable than the one or the two who must cause the pain lest they themselves perish?
Need |
Emil G. Hirsch, fully Emil Gustav Hirsch
In the common sense of the word, Judaism is not a religion, it is not a system of dogmas, of sacramental grace; it is not a bundle of rites and ceremonies; it is not a road to happiness in the hereafter; it is not a scheme of salvation from original sin; it does neither stand nor fall with our views as to the character of those books we call sacred, and as to their authorship. But it is a message to the world that righteousness must be its own reward, and is of that force which builds the world and shapes the courses of men.
Agnostic | Belief | Charity | God | Man | Mercy | Need | Pity | Thinkers | God | Agnostic |
Impossible to spend sleepless nights and accomplish anything: if, in my youth, my parents had not financed my insomnias, I should surely have killed myself.
Need |
Emily Dickinson, fully Emily Elizabeth Dickinson
Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. Espousing the former is not defending the latter.
Merit | Punishment |
Boredom was at the root of Lazare's unhappiness, an oppressive, unremitting boredom, exuding from everything like the muddy water of a poisoned spring. He was bored with leisure, with work, with himself even more than with others. Meanwhile he blamed his own idleness for it, he ended by being ashamed of it.
Need |
Emily Dickinson, fully Emily Elizabeth Dickinson
My life had stood--a Loaded Gun-- In Corners--till a Day The Owner passed--identified-- And carried Me away-- And now We roam in Sovereign Woods-- And now We hunt the Doe-- And every time I speak for Him-- The Mountains straight reply-- And do I smile, such cordial light Upon the Valley glow-- It is as a Vesuvian face Had let its pleasure through-- And when at Night--Our good Day done-- I guard My Master's Head-- 'Tis better than the Eider-Duck's Deep Pillow--to have shared-- To foe of His--I'm deadly foe-- None stir the second time-- On whom I lay a Yellow Eye-- Or an emphatic Thumb-- Though I than He--may longer live He longer must--than I-- For I have but the power to kill, Without--the power to die.
Immortality | Life | Life | Need | Parting |
Emily Dickinson, fully Emily Elizabeth Dickinson
People need hard times and oppression to develop psychic muscles.
Need |
Emily Dickinson, fully Emily Elizabeth Dickinson
Perception of an object costs precise the Object's loss—
Need | Oppression |
Emily Dickinson, fully Emily Elizabeth Dickinson
I see thee better in the dark, I do not need a light. The love of thee a prism be excelling violet. I see thee better for the years that hunch themselves between, the miner’s lamp sufficient be to nullify the mine. And in the grave I see thee best—its little panels be a-glow, all ruddy with the light I held so high for thee! What need of day to those whose dark hath so surpassing sun, it seem it be continually at the meridian?
The Revolution of 1848 found all the Rougons on the lookout, frustrated by their bad luck, and ready to use any means necessary to advance their cause. They were a family of bandits lying in wait, ready to plunder and steal.
Affront | Deeds | Indignation | Language | Men | Need | Nothing | People | Public | Punishment | Rank | Remorse | Thought | Traitor | Deeds | Thought |
Emily Brontë, fully Emily Jane Brontë, aka pseudonym Ellis Bell
Let grief distract the sufferer's breast, and night obscure his way; they hasten him to endless rest, and everlasting day.
Need |
Emily Brontë, fully Emily Jane Brontë, aka pseudonym Ellis Bell
Doubtless Catherine marked the difference between her friends, as one came in and the other went out. The contrast resembled what you see in exchanging a bleak, hilly, coal country for a beautiful fertile valley; and his voice and greeting were as opposite as his aspect.
Emily Dickinson, fully Emily Elizabeth Dickinson
Write me of hope and love, and hearts that endured.