This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
One who is contented with what he has done will never become famous for what he will do. He has lain down to die. The grass is already growing over him.
One who is contented with what he has done will never become famous for what he will do. He has lain down to die, and the grass is already growing over him.
He is a valiaunt victor, a famous Conquerour, and a mighty prince, that can vanquishe himselfe.
The patriotism of antiquity becomes in modern societies a caricature. In antiquity, it developed naturally from the whole condition of a people, its youth, its situation, its culture - with us it is an awkward imitation. Our life demands, not separation from other nations, but constant intercourse; our city life is not that of the ancient city-state.
Antiquity | Culture | Imitation | Life | Life | Nations | Patriotism | People | Wisdom | Youth |
Douglas Meeks, also M. Douglas Meeks
Does God work? This is a crucial question, for the denigration of work and the degradation of the worker in both antiquity and modernity are supported by the view that the gods do not have to work. That is what makes them gods.
People seldom become famous for what they say until after they are famous for what they've done.
Those whom we call ancients were in truth new in every respect, and actually formed the childhood of man; and since we have added to their knowledge the experience of the succeeding centuries, it is in ourselves that that antiquity can be found which we revere in others.
Antiquity | Childhood | Experience | Knowledge | Man | Respect | Truth |
No woman has ever told the truth of her life. The autobiographies of most famous women are a series of accounts of the outward existence, of petty details and anecdotes which give no realization of their real life. For the great moments of joy or agony they remain strangely silent.
Agony | Existence | Famous | Joy | Life | Life | Truth | Woman |
We all want to be famous people, and the moment we want to be something, we are no longer free.
Sweetness of spirit and sunshine is famous for dispelling fears and difficulties; patience is a mighty help to the burden-bearer.
Our admiration of a famous man lessens upon our nearer acquaintance with him; and we seldom hear of a celebrated person without a catalogue of some notorious weaknesses and infirmities.
Acquaintance | Admiration | Famous | Man |
The antiquity and general acceptance of an opinion is no assurance of its truth.
Acceptance | Antiquity | Opinion | Truth |
How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!
Nature is sanitive, refining, elevating. How cunning she hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew! Every inch; of the mountains is scarred by unimaginable convulsions, yet the new day is purpose with the bloom of youth and joy.
Antiquity | Cunning | Day | Joy | Nature | Purpose | Purpose | Youth | Youth |
Voltaire, pen name of François-Marie Arouet NULL
Philosopher, lover of wisdom, that is to say, of truth. All philosophers have had this dual character; there is not one in antiquity who has not given mankind examples of virtue and lessons in moral truths. They have all contrived to be deceived about natural philosophy; but natural philosophy is so little necessary for the conduct of life, that the philosophers had no need of it. It has taken centuries to learn a part of nature’s laws. One day was sufficient for a wise man to learn the duties of man.
Antiquity | Character | Conduct | Day | Life | Life | Little | Man | Mankind | Nature | Need | Philosophy | Truth | Virtue | Virtue | Wisdom | Wise | Learn |