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

Paul L. McKay, D.D.

Cynics build no bridges; they make no discoveries; no gaps are spanned by them. Cynics may pride themselves in being realistic in their approach, but progress and the onward march of Christian civilization demand an inspiration and motivation that cynicism never affords. If we want progress we must take the forward look.

Character | Civilization | Cynicism | Inspiration | Pride | Progress |

William Penn

To be innocent is to be not guilty; but to be virtuous is to overcome our evil inclinations.

Character | Evil |

William Penn

God is better served in resisting a temptation to evil than in many formal prayers.

Better | Character | Evil | God | Temptation | Wisdom | Temptation |

Plotinus NULL

For most or even all forms of evil serve the Universe - much as the poisonous snake has it use - though in most cases their function is unknown. Vice itself has many useful sides: it brings about much that is beautiful, in artistic creations for example, and it stirs us to thoughtful living, not allowing us to drowse in security.

Character | Evil | Example | Security | Universe | Vice |

Tai-shang Kan-Ying Pien (Treatise of the Exalted One on Response and Retribution) NULL

The recompense of good and evil follows as the shadow follows the figure.

Character | Evil | Good | Recompense |

Publius Syrus

Even when there is no law, there is conscience... An evil conscience is often quiet, but never secure.

Character | Conscience | Evil | Law | Quiet |

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Do to others as you would have them do unto you, inspires all men with that other maxim of natural goodness, much less perfect indeed, but perhaps more useful: Do good to yourself with as little evil as possible to others.

Character | Evil | Good | Little | Men |

Publius Syrus

The wickedness of the few is the calamity of the many.

Calamity | Character | Wickedness | Calamity |

Francis Quarles

The light of the understanding, humility kindleth and pride covereth.

Character | Humility | Light | Pride | Understanding |

Publius Syrus

What greater evil could you wish a miser, than long life?

Character | Evil | Life | Life |

Francis Quarles

Virtue is nothing but an act of loving that which is to be beloved, and that a t is prudence, from whence not to be removed by constraint is fortitude; not to be allured by enticements is temperance; not to be diverted by pride is justice.

Character | Constraint | Fortitude | Justice | Nothing | Pride | Prudence | Prudence | Virtue | Virtue |

Francis Quarles

In the commission of evil, fear no man so much as thyself; another is but one witness against thee, thou art a thousand; another thou mayest avoid, thyself thou canst not. Wickedness is its own punishment.

Art | Character | Evil | Fear | Man | Punishment | Wickedness | Witness | Art |

Francis Quarles

In the commission of evil, fear no man so much as thyself. Another is but one witness against thee; thou art a thousand. Another thou mayst avoid, thyself thou canst not. Wickedness is its own punishment.

Art | Character | Evil | Fear | Man | Punishment | Wickedness | Witness | Art |