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

François de La Rochefoucauld, François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Prince de Marcillac, Francois A. F. Rochefoucauld-Liancourt

What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and we exercise it because we are more fond of that vanity than of the thing we give.

Generosity | Order |

William Shakespeare

O flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified.

Hell |

François de La Rochefoucauld, François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Prince de Marcillac, Francois A. F. Rochefoucauld-Liancourt

What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to secure a great one.

Generosity |

William Shakespeare

O, then, what graces in my love do dwell That he hath turned a heaven unto a hell!

Dreams | Good | Little | Mind | Misfortune | Prayer | Time | Misfortune | Old |

William Shakespeare

Poor wisdom often becomes a slave to the rich nonsense.

Fury | Old |

Edwin Hubbell Chapin

No more duty can be urged upon those who are entering the great theater of life than simple loyalty to their best convictions.

Beauty | Fidelity | Fortune | Language | Man | Power | Beauty |

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

Do not be envious! For if we envy others, then they in turn will envy us. The evils of envy know no limit. If others surpass us in intelligence, we are not pleased; if they are more able, we are envious. But if we do not find wise men and sages, how shall the realm be governed?

Important | Right | Suspicion |

Edwin Hubbell Chapin

A patient, humble temper gathers blessings that are marred by the peevish, and overlooked by the aspiring.

Men | Right |

Kautilya, aka Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta NULL

Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.

Wealth | Wise |

Kautilya, aka Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta NULL

The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish his purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability.

Kautilya, aka Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta NULL

Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.

Books | Knowledge | Need | Wealth |

Padmasambhava, literally "Lotus-Born",aka "Second Buddha", better known as Guru Rinpoche (lit. "Precious Guru") or Lopon Rinpoche NULL

You may have the bravery of a strong fighter, but unless you possess the intelligent strength of discriminating knowledge, you will not turn the tide in the battle with samsara. So possess the intelligent strength of discriminating knowledge!

Wealth |

Edwin Percy Whipple

What does competency in the long run mean? It means to all reasonable beings, cleanliness of person, decency of dress, courtesy of manners, opportunities for education, the delights of leisure, and the bliss of giving.

Knowing | Life | Life | Man | Wealth | Talent |

Murasaki Shikibu, aka Lady Murasaki

Autumn is no time to lie alone.

Good | Little | Man | Will |

Egyptian Proverbs

He was hoisted by his own petard — fell into his own trap, was harmed by his own plan to harm someone else.

Elizabeth Dole, fully Mary Elizabeth Alexander Hanford "Liddy" Dole

The terrorists know what is at stake, which is why they are pulling out all the stops to derail our efforts. They understand that a free and democratic Iraq is a serious blow to their interests.

Wealth |

Elif Safak

One thing that has helped me personally in the past was to stop interfering with the people around me and getting frustrated when I couldn’t change them. Instead of intrusion and passivity, may I suggest submission? Some people make the mistake of confusing submission with weakness, whereas it is anything but. Submission is a form of peaceful acceptance of the terms of the universe, including the things we are currently unable to change or comprehend.

Balance | Conscience | Ends | Journey | Right | Style | Woman |