This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Noam Chomsky, fully Avram Noam Chomsky
You learn by trying out ideas, and hearing reactions to them, and hearing what other people have to say about the topic, and formulating programs, and trying to pursue them, and seeing where they break down, and getting some experience, and so on.
Experience | Ideas | People | Learn |
No accurate thinker will judge another person by that which the other person’s enemies say about him.
Will |
The advice of the elders to young men is very apt to be as unreal as a list of the hundred best books.
Plutarch, named Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus after becoming Roman citizen NULL
Our worst enemies are those we carry about with us in our own hearts.
Plutarch, named Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus after becoming Roman citizen NULL
We have to depend on our enemies to hear the truth.
Truth |
The effects of opposition are wonderful. There are men who rise refreshed on hearing of a threat; men to whom a crisis which intimidates and paralyzes the majority - demanding, not the faculties of prudence and thrift, but comprehension, immovableness, the readiness to sacrifice - comes graceful and beloved as a bride.
Bride | Majority | Men | Opposition | Prudence | Prudence | Sacrifice | Thrift | Crisis |
Beware of him who gives thee advice according to his own interests.
Advice |
The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them.
Excellence | Excellence |
Thornton Wilder, fully Thornton Niven Wilder
My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate - that’s my philosophy.
Advice | Philosophy |
The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.
Art | Conversation | Art |
Wilferd Peterson, fully Wilferd Arlan Peterson
Hate is death, forgiveness is life. Forgiveness works the miracle of change. When Lincoln was asked whey he did not destroy his enemies he replied: “If I make my enemies my friends, don’t I then destroy them?”... Forgiveness is the way to personal peace.
Change | Death | Destroy | Forgiveness | Hate | Life | Life | Peace | Forgiveness |
Will Durant, fully William James "Will" Durant
Rome remained great as long as she had enemies who forced her to unity, vision and heroism. When she had overcome them all she flourished for a moment and then began to die.
The true warrior is always the last to pick up the lance or go to battle. His battles are fought with the lance of love and understanding. His enemies are prejudice, greed, and bad medicine, and the biggest battles are always fought within himself. So, do not go out upon the earth to battle unseen demons of the physical world, for your hatred will be like theirs. Instead, go out as a true warrior, with love and understanding.
Battle | Earth | Greed | Love | Prejudice | Understanding | Will | World |