This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Graceful, particularly in youth, is the tear of sympathy, and the heart that melts at the tale of woe; we should not permit ease and indulgence to contract our affections, and wrap us up in selfish enjoyment. But we should accustom ourselves to think of the distresses of human life, of the solitary cottage, the dying parent, and the weeping orphan. Nor ought we ever to sport with pain and distress in any of our amusements, or treat even the meanest insect with wanton cruelty.
Amusements | Character | Cruelty | Distress | Enjoyment | Heart | Indulgence | Life | Life | Pain | Sympathy | Woe | Youth | Think |
Nothing leads more directly to the breach of charity, and to the injury and molestation of our fellow-creatures than the indulgence of an ill temper.
Character | Charity | Indulgence | Nothing | Temper |
Though a taste of pleasure may quicken the relish of life, an unrestrained indulgence leads to inevitable destruction.
Character | Indulgence | Inevitable | Life | Life | Pleasure | Taste |
The greater part of mankind are naturally apt to be affirmative and dogmatical in their opinions; and while they see objects only on one side, and have no idea of any counterpoising argument, they throw themselves precipitately into the principles, to which they are inclined; nor have they any indulgence for those who entertain opposite sentiments. To hesitate or balance perplexes their understanding, checks their passion, and suspends their action.
Action | Argument | Balance | Character | Indulgence | Mankind | Passion | Principles | Understanding |
Each age has its own characteristic depravity. Ours is perhaps not pleasure or indulgence or sensuality, but rather a dissolute pantheistic contempt for the individual man.
Age | Character | Contempt | Individual | Indulgence | Man | Pleasure | Sensuality |
Rare indulgence produces greater pleasure.
Character | Indulgence | Pleasure |
Luxury makes a man so soft that it is hard to please him, and easy to trouble him; so that his pleasures at last become his burden. Luxury is a nice master, hard to be pleased.
Temperance and labor are the two best physicians; the one sharpens the appetite - the other prevents indulgence to excess.
Appetite | Character | Excess | Indulgence | Labor |
What indulgence does the world extend to those evil-speakers who, under the mask of friendship, stab indiscriminately with the keen, though rusty blade of slander!
Character | Evil | Indulgence | Slander | World |
Sedition is bred in the lap of luxury and its chosen emissaries are the beggared spendthrift and the impoverished libertine.
Possessions, outward success, publicity, luxury - to me these have always been contemptible. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best for both the body and the mind.
Body | Life | Life | Luxury | Mind | Possessions | Success | Wisdom |
Ambition has its disappointments to sour us, but never the good fortune to satisfy us. Its appetite grows keener by indulgence and all we can gratify it with at present serves but the more to inflame its insatiable desires.
Ambition | Appetite | Fortune | Good | Indulgence | Present | Wisdom |
Study is the bane of boyhood, the oil of youth, the indulgence of manhood, and restorative of old age.