Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Related Quotes

William James

I wished by treating Psychology like a natural science, to help her become one.

Absurd | Cause | Motives | Nations | Peace | Refinement | Science | War | Will |

William James

The prevalent fear of poverty among the educated classes is the worst moral disease from which our civilization suffers.

Doctrine | Ideals | Meaning | People | Philosophy | Respect | Sound | Respect |

William McKinley

I have never been in doubt since I was old enough to think intelligently that I would someday be made President.

Grief | Heart | Inquiry | Security | Sorrow |

William James

Only necessity understood, and bondage to the highest is identical with true freedom.

Anger | Earnestness | Energy | Fighting | Important | Little | Means | Nothing | Pain | People | Power | Self |

William Morris

By God I will not tell you more to-day, judge any way you will -- what matters it

Fear | Light |

William Morris

Lo, the lovers unloved that draw nigh for your blessing! For your tale makes the dreaming whereby yet they live the dreams of the day with their hopes of redressing, the dreams of the night with the kisses they give, the dreams of the dawn wherein death and hope strive.

Deeds | Earth | Love | Pain | Sound | World | Deeds |

Douglas Adams, fully Douglas Noel Adams

We're not obsessed by anything, you see, insisted Ford...And that's the deciding factor. We can't win against obsession. They care, we don't. They win. I care about lots of things, said Slartibartfast, his voice trembling partly with annoyance, but partly also with uncertainty. Such as? Well, said the old man, life, the Universe. Everything, really. Fjords. Would you die for them? Fjords? blinked Slartibartfast in surprise. No. Well then. Wouldn't see the point, to be honest.

Destroy | Little | Talking | Time | War | Weapons | Think |

Douglas Adams, fully Douglas Noel Adams

You just come along with me and have a good time. The Galaxy's a fun place. You'll need to have this fish in your ear.

Business | Sound | Business |

William Shakespeare

O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.

Sound |

William Shakespeare

O powerful love, that in some respects makes a beast a man, in some other, a man a beast.

Sound |

William Shakespeare

O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her ! And be her sense but as a monument.

Sound |

Edwin Arlington Robinson

And there was no Camelot now -- now that no Queen was there, all white and gold, under an oaktree with another sunlight sifting itself in silence on her glory through the dark leaves above her where she sat, smiling at what she feared, and fearing least what most there was to fear.

Sound | Warning |

Edwin Way Teale

It is morally as bad not to care whether a thing is true or not, so long as it makes you feel good, as it is not to care how you got your money as long as you have got it.

Death |

Prince Shōtoku, born Shotoku Taishi, aka Prince Umayado or Prince Kamitsumiya

The Ministers and officials of the state should make proper behavior their first principle, for if the superiors do not behave properly, the inferiors are disorderly; if inferiors behave improperly, offenses will naturally result. Therefore when lord and vassal behave with propriety, the distinctions of rank are not confused: when the people behave properly the Government will be in good order.

Evil | Good | Men | Qualities | Reward | Rule | Wrong |

Sei Shōnagon

It was a clear, moonlit night a little after the tenth of the Eighth Month. Her Majesty, who was residing in the Empress's Office, sat by the edge of the veranda while Ukon no Naishi played the flute for her. The other ladies in attendance sat together, talking and laughing; but I stayed by myself, leaning against one of the pillars between the main hall and the veranda. 'Why so silent?' said Her Majesty. 'Say something. It is sad when you do not speak.' 'I am gazing at the autumn moon,' I replied. 'Ah yes,' she remarked. 'That is just what you should have said.

Dawn | Heart | Hurry | Light | Nothing | Sound |

Edwin Arlington Robinson

Go to the western gate, Luke Havergal,—There where the vines cling crimson on the wall,— And in the twilight wait for what will come. The wind will moan, the leaves will whisper some,—Whisper of her, and strike you as they fall; but go, and if you trust her she will call. Go to the western gate, Luke Havergal— Luke Havergal. No, there is not a dawn in eastern skies To rift the fiery night that ’s in your eyes; but there, where western glooms are gathering, the dark will end the dark, if anything: God slays Himself with every leaf that flies, and hell is more than half of paradise.

Rest | Sound | Old |

Sei Shōnagon

Even on this festive day, when all are seeking butterflies and flowers, you and you alone can see what feelings hide within my heart.

Absurd | Sense | Sound | Will |

Prince Shōtoku, born Shotoku Taishi, aka Prince Umayado or Prince Kamitsumiya

Good faith is the foundation of right. In everything let there be good faith, for if the lord and the vassal keep faith with one another, what cannot be accomplished? If the lord and the vassal do not keep faith with each other, everything will end in failure.

Antiquity | Duty | Man | Men | Office | Praise | Right | Sound | Will | Wise |

Ishvarakrishna, aka Iśvarakṛṣṇa NULL

The instruments perform their respective functions, prompted by mutual sympathy. The purpose of the Self (purusha) is the sole cause; by nothing else is any instrument activated.

Regard | Sound |

Egyptian Proverbs

A woman will be twice bound when her chains feel comfortable.