Browse Alphabetically T-Z
T
Taft, Charles P. (Charles Phelps), 1897-1983
Charles Taft talks about God’s love and the necessity to strive to be worthy of his love but understanding one’s imperfections as well, and how he tries to connect the sublime with the more practical aspects of life through hard work and introspection.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Ohio, Politics, Law, & Government Professions
Taylor, Dwight
Dwight Taylor describes his belief that science cannot answer the question of “Why?” and that, until individuals learn to live in gratitude and wonder at the miracle of life, humans will not learn to live peacefully with one another.
Listen to the essay– Themes: California, Publishing and Writing Professions
Taylor, Harold, 1914-1993
Harold Taylor expresses his belief in the essential goodness of people and their natures and describes his philosophy that that, quality of life and faith in the future is a consequence of developing this goodness to live in harmony with other people.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, Immigrants/Immigration, Great Britain or Commonwealth Nationalities, Educational Professions
Taylor, Henry P.
Henry Taylor explains his belief that everything operates based on the principals of certain laws, weather they be natural, physical, social, or religious and failure to adhere to these laws inevitably results in disfuntion and chaos; and the supreme law would be the law of God.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Virginia, Business Professions
Thayer, Eliza Talbott, 1901-1990
Eliza Thayer observes how fortunate she has been in life to underscore her beliefs in the importance of love in one’s life and why love assures her in the existence of life after death.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Arts or Entertainment Professions
Thayer, Frederick
Frederick Thayer considers the many different philosphies and belief systems in the world and arrives at the conclusion that people would be better off focusing on their present life and conduct rather than on their afterlife.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Banking and Finance Professions
Thomas, Benjamin Platt, 1902-1956
Benjamin Thomas describes how his study of Abraham Lincoln helped him believe that there is a universal struggle between good and evil, and that acknowledging our own imperfections helps us to be tolerant of others.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Illinois, Publishing and Writing Professions
Thomas, Dorothy
Dorothy Thomas explains why she feels it is important to find a balance in life that allows one to be happy and appreciative of life and lists the many simple pleasures she finds in life that make her happy.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New Jersey, Publishing and Writing Professions
Thompson, Alice, 1910-
Alice Thompson talks about her life as a mother, a wife, a member of society, and a worker and explains the importance of understanding, love and compassion to a happy life.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, Women in Politics, Law, & Business, Publishing and Writing Professions
Thompson, William B.
William Thompson describes life in his hometown, Croton-on-Hudson, and how simplicity keeps life manageable and productive.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, Transportation or Shipping Professions
Tobin, Emery
Emery Tobin describes his belief that people have been placed in a beautiful creation in order to work to improve themselves and to serve others.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Alaska, Publishing and Writing Professions
Toland, Edward Dale, 1886-1964
Edward Toland describes how his experiences with a French mobile field hospital in WWI changed his perspective and led him to become a teacher after the war, and he describes his belief that loving humanity by practicing the Golden Rule is the best way in which to love God.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New Hampshire, 60 and over, War and Civilians, Educational Professions
Totton, Frank M., 1890-1954
Frank Totton describes the meaning he finds in life as a result of his religious faith and belief that God works through man which encourages and enables him to support and aid others.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, 60 and over, Banking and Finance Professions, Professions in Social Work, Nonprofit, & Philanthropy
Toynbee, Arnold, 1889-1975
Arnold Toynbee describes his belief that human beings have no certain knowledge of right and wrong, yet must still attempt to live life unselfishly, and his belief that love provides life with purpose.
Listen to the essay– Themes: 60 and over, British Nationality, Educational Professions
Trapp, Maria Augusta
Maria Trapp describes how she and her husband attempted to understand the Gospels’ instructions to “become like little children”; and, observing their own children, came to the conclusion that children live whole-heartedly in the present without worrying about the past or future.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Vermont, Western European Nationality, Arts or Entertainment Professions, Immigrants/Immigration, Publishing and Writing Professions
Trilling, Louis R.
Louis Trilling talks about how beliefs change, particularly as one changes, and what is important is that one does have beliefs to follow and that for one to be happy and content one should believe in something outside of oneself.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, Educational Professions
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972
Former President Harry Truman states that his moral code is based upon the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, and describes his beliefs in the duty of a public official to work for the public welfare; in the value of the civil rights movement; and in the importance of preserving civil liberties, democracy, and freedom.
Listen to the essay– Themes: 60 and over, Politics, Law, & Government Professions
Tsiang, Tingfu F. (Tingfu Fuller), 1895-1965
Tinfu Tsiang describes his belief that China and the West each have valuable cultural insight to offer the other, and that the way to world peace is to focus on ulitizing existing resources more efficiently and to preserve human freedom in one’s home country.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Asian or South Pacific nationality, Politics, Law, & Government Professions
Tucker, Richard, 1913-1975
Richard Tucker describes his belief in honesty and keeping one’s word, and recounts how he strives to teach his son that even so-called “white lies” still hurt the teller of the lie.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, Arts or Entertainment Professions
U
Underhill, Irvin Windfield, 1896-1982
Reverend Irvin Underhill believes that good things can come out of adversity when one keeps faith and he recalls an experience in Africa in which fear and danger led him to peace and tranquility.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, International Travel, Humanitarian Aid, and Diplomacy, Professions in Social Work, Nonprofit, & Philant
Unwin, Stanley, Sir, 1884-1968
Stanley Unwin describes his beliefs in tolerance, reverance, beauty, liberty, justice, law, progress (despite some adjustments caused by WWI), and the happiness that can be found through work prompted by love of something.
Listen to the essay– Themes: 60 and over, British Nationality, Publishing and Writing Professions
Ustinov, Peter
Peter Ustinov describes his belief that organized religion is oppressive, and that doubt, liberalism, the individual, moral courage, and the privacy of the human conscience are all essential to avoid religious oppression.
Listen to the essay– Themes: British Nationality, Arts or Entertainment Professions
V
Vanderbilt, Amy
Amy Vanderbilt explains her awareness and appreciation of people, equality and friendship and describes how her son exemplified this in his disregard for race when meeting a lady on the bus.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Connecticut, Publishing and Writing Professions
Vann, Jessie, 1885-1967
Jessie Vann describes her belief in the value of keeping her promises, her aunt’s prediction that she would never amount to anything, her belief in the power of gratitude and appreciation, and the management of her husband’s newspaper after he died.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Pennsylvania – Other, African Americans, Women in Politics, Law, & Business, Professions in Social Work, Nonprofit, & Philanthropy,
Vansittart, Robert Gilbert Vansittart, Baron, 1881-1957
Lord Vansittart describes his belief that there is no compromise possible between good and evil, and that an individual must make a stand against evil.
Listen to the essay– Themes: British Nationality, International Travel, Humanitarian Aid, and Diplomacy, Publishing and Writing Professions, Politics, Law, & Gov
Vierheller, George P.
George Vierheller describes his beliefs in the importance of individual achievement, self-improvement, service to others, family, and friendship.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Missouri, Arts or Entertainment Professions
Vining, Elizabeth Gray, 1902-1999
Elizabeth Vining describes how she used to depend on human love for meaning and satisfaction till her husband was killed in an automobile accident, and then she came to believe in God’s love and the efficacy of prayer.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Educational Professions
W
Wachner, Barbara
Babara Wachner describes her belief that she can “pay in advance” for life’s rewards, that hardships ultimately lead to happiness and that blessings can be met without fear of loss, because they have already been earned.
Listen to the essay– Themes: California, Arts or Entertainment Professions, Publishing and Writing Professions
Wallach, Sidney
Sidney Wallach describes his belief in the golden mean, reasonableness, democracy, and the protection of the minority, especially the individual.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Professions in Social Work, Nonprofit, & Philanthropy
Walsh, Catherine Flemming
Catherine Walsh describes her belief that it is impossible to be truly happy and the importance of always making the best effort in what one does.
Listen to the essay– Also in Missouri, Educational Professions
Warren, Constance, 1880-1971
Constance Warren discusses the importance of education to happiness and ethics and describes the values that have made her life a happy one.
Listen to the essay– Themes: 60 and over, Educational Professions
Warren, Fran
Fran Warren describes the start of her career as a professional singer, her belief that people are instinctively nice, her gratitude for her faithful fans, and the responsibility she feels as a celebrity in the public eye.
Listen to the essay– Tthemes: Jewish Speakers, Arts or Entertainment Professions
Watson, Lucile, 1879-1962
Lucile Watson recounts her childhood discovery of the knowledge that she could change herself for the better, and, after successes with simple things such as maintaining her hair and quitting nail-biting, she developed a philosophy for life, including a belief that God was in everything and made everything.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, 60 and over, Nationalities of Commonwealth Countries, Arts or Entertainment Professions, Immigrants/Immigr
Wehle, Louis B. (Louis Brandeis), 1880-1959
Louise Wehle describes the concept of spiritual perfection, and while this goal may be unattainable, the pursuit is worthwhile, and this is the only effort that can give true and enduring satisfaction.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, 60 and over, Politics, Law, & Government Professions
Weil, Frank L. (Frank Leopold), 1894-1957
Frank Weil describes his beliefs that one must earn future privileges through the work of today, that belief in the future provides strength for meeting the challenges of today, and that people in general have the wisdom and integrity to achieve a better tomorrow.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, Professions in Social Work, Nonprofit, & Philanthropy, Politics, Law, & Government Professions
Weinreb, Joseph
Joseph Weinreb reflects on ethics and morality and resolves that nothing is created bad or evil but becomes so misdirection and love, compassion, and hard work are means by which we can achieve a harmonious world.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Massachusetts, Western European Nationality, Immigrants/Immigration, Medical Professions
Wells, Jacqueline, 1914-2001
Julie Bishop (born Jacqueline Wells) describes her belief in the efficacy of prayer, and recounts a childhood experience in which she asked God to help her learn how to ice skate.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Arts or Entertainment Professions
Werner, Herbert L.
Herbert Werner would like to add an eleventh commandment; to be kind to everyone. He also explains why kindess is important and how following this commandment has positively affected his life.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, Western European Nationality, Immigrants/Immigration
West, Guy A. (Guy Ashley), 1898-
Guy West recounts how he first became aware of the immense size of the universe, and describes his beliefs in a God who designed and provides purpose for that universe.
Listen to the essay– Themes: California, Educational Professions
West, Rebecca, 1892-1983
Rebecca West describes the importance of individual liberty and how it can be the cause of conflict, yet how love and law can provide guidance.– Themes: Irish Nationality, Publishing and Writing Professions
White, Gilbert F.
Gilbert F. White describes his experiences as a geographer and student of earth’s natural laws, and his belief that the divine spark within every person necessitates brotherhood, tolerance, humble service, and a commitment to search for truth.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Educational Professions
White, Goodrich C. (Goodrich Cook), b. 1889
Goodrich White describes the death of his son, and the immense grief of his wife, and his subsquent struggle with doubt and ultimate belief in God and life after death.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Georgia, 60 and over, Educational Professions
White, Walter Francis, 1893-1955
Walter White recounts the challenges of growing up in a family of light-skinned African Americans (never fully accepted by either side), and describes his beliefs that an end must be obtained by just means, that love for humanity will overcome any obstacles, and that persons should not be judged by their skin color or creed.
Listen to the essay– Themes: African Americans, Professions in Social Work, Nonprofit, & Philanthropy
Whitehurst, Bert W.
Bert Whitehurst describes how waiting for a spinal fusion surgery brought him to a belief in prayer and released him from the fear of death.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Massachusetts, Architecture or Engineering Professions, Arts or Entertainment Professions
Whiting, Margaret, 1924-2011
Margaret Whiting describes her belief in the value of human relationships, and recounts an experience in which she had the opportunity to cheer up a veteran who had lost his arms and legs.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Under 30, Arts or Entertainment Professions
Whitney, Madge
Madge Whitney describes how children’s social work brings purpose to her life.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Texas, Professions in Social Work, Nonprofit, & Philanthropy
Wieman, Elton Ewart “Tad”, 1896-1971
E.E. Wieman explains the importance of sharing in life and how sharing is exemplified in sports; however, Wieman also describes how learned to share from his mother, which is the basis of his optimism.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Colorado, Sports Professions
Wiener, Norbert, 1894-1964
Norbert Wiener describes his beliefs in the discipline and freedom to seek truth, in the importance of recognizing the dignity of human beings, in the difficulty of adhering to any religion, and in the role of errors during the process of discovering truth.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Mathematics and Science Professions
Wilcox, Walter F.
Walter Wilcox describes his belief that the world has steadily gotten better during his lifetime, and his belief that individuals must create order out of the personal chaos in which they find themselves, with truth and freedom necessary components of this task.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – Other, Mathematics and Science Professions
Wilkes, Frank M.
Frank Wilkes remembers his mother and the beliefs she imparted to him, such as the dignity of work, the omnipotence of God and the need to follow God’s commandments and leave the consequences to Him.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Louisiana, Business Professions
Williams, Alfred Hector, 1893-1974
Alfred Williams explains his belief that we all perceive the world differently and so we need to try to approach one another with empathy, respect, and compassion, and that this attitude is particularly important in the American business world where people spend such a great deal of time and attention.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Banking and Finance Professions, Educational Professions
Williams, Clyde, 1873-1954
Clyde Williams describes his belief that happiness comes through accomplishing the work one is meant to do, and relates how his work at the Battelle Institute has helped him to find satisfaction in life.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Ohio, 60 and over, Mathematics and Science Professions
Williams, Joe, d. 1972
Joe Williams describes how sports and an escape from a plane crash have crystalized his philosophy: that sports reveal and develop character, and that there comes a point when events in life can’t be changed, but rather go “into the record” and must be accepted with calmness.
Listen to the essay– Themes: New Jersey, Sports Professions, Journalism or Communications Professions
Williams, Paul B.
Paul Williams describes his belief that what makes humans different from animals is their ability to communicate, exchange ideas, form opinions, and reach judgements–characteristics which support the progress of civilization.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Journalism or Communications Professions
Williams, Roger C.
Roger Williams describes his belief that the modern age needs to balance its achievements in science and technology with wisdom and the foresight to anticipate the impact that innovations will have upon daily living.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Maine, Journalism or Communications Professions
Willson, Meredith, 1902-1984
Meredith Willson remembers his friend Max Terr to explain why one does not need to be famous in order to leave one’s mark on the world.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Arts or Entertainment Professions
Wilson, Charles McMoran, 1st Baron Moran, 1882-1977
Charles Wilson, personal physician to Sir Winston Churchill, recounts how one judged a person during World War I and the importance of altruism and selflessness in determining a person’s character.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Medical Professions
Wilson, Claire D.
Claire Wilson talks about his optimism and faith, his belief in the responsibility of the individual to improve themselves for the good of society, altruism, and the impact of meditation and trips to the mountains on his serenity and peace of mind.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Kansas
Wilson, Steuart
Steuart Wilson describes the search for truth and why a love for the truth must also be accompanied by the will to act on deeply felt convictions.
Listen to the essay– Themes: British Nationality, Arts or Entertainment Professions
Winslow, Thyra Samter, 1893-1961
Thyra Winslow describes how happy her life has been thus far, and states her beliefs in the importance of curiosity, flexibility, faith, and love.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Publishing and Writing Professions
Winsor, Curtin, d. 1998
Curtin Winsor tells of the importance of individualism and being true to himself in the development of his beliefs and what some of those beliefs are.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Politics, Law, & Government Professions
Winston, Helen, 1925-1972
Helen Winston describes her experiences of trying to become an actress-working as a waitress in order to study people-and states her beliefs that there is a little bit of godliness in every person, that individuals have a basic impulse towards virtue, and that it is important to value the beauty and love available in the present moment.
Listen to the essay– Themes: California, Under 30, Nationalities of Commonwealth Countries, Arts or Entertainment Professions, Immigrants/Immigration,
Winton, David J., 1897-
David J. Winton describes his faith in the future, his belief that material gains do not yield lasting satisfaction, his belief in the potential of people to achieve greatness, and his advice for focusing on the present rather than dwelling on past failures.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Minnesota, Business Professions, Manufacturing Professions, Politics, Law, & Government Professions
Woodcock, George, 1904-1979
George Woodcock describes the expereinces he had growing up that led him to the belief in fairness and justice and also propelled him towards involvement in the labor movement.
Listen to the essay– Themes: British Nationality, Politics, Law, & Government Professions
Wooten, Ben
Ben Wooten describe his belief that a divine designer rewards the hard work of individuals devoted to a worthy cause, and describes how, despite being the son of poor Texan farmers, he succeeded in his career choice as a banker.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Texas, Agriculture and Farming, Banking and Finance Professions, Business Professions
Worthington, E. Barton (Edgar Barton), 1905-
Dr. Edgar Worthington describes his belief in the mutability of beliefs and how his personal beliefs evolved out of traditional religious dogma into a wider appreciation for nature and beauty and principles irrespective of doctrine. He also describes his perspective of Africa as an European immigrant to the country.
Listen to the essay– Themes: British Nationality, Immigrants/Immigration, International Travel, Humanitarian Aid, and Diplomacy, Mathematics and Science Professi
Wrench, Evelyn, 1882-1966
Sir Evelyn Wrench describes how an encounter with extreme poverty shook his faith in God, and how an experience at the funeral service of King Edward VII restored that faith, as he became more inclusive in his beliefs and practices.
Listen to the essay– Themes: 60 and over, British Nationality, Professions in Social Work, Nonprofit, & Philanthropy, Publishing and Writing Professions
Y
Yang, You Chan, 1897-
You Chan Yang describes his hope that he has made a difference in the lives of injured or disabled persons during his tenure on earth, and relates a story in which a boy discovers that only God knows the definition of goodness.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Asian or South Pacific nationality, Politics, Law, & Government Professions, Medical Professions
Yoder, Hilda Widener
Hilda Yoder describes how she used to emphasize marriage and financial security, only to lose both her husband and home; she describes how she found purpose and healing in serving others; and she states her beliefs in virtues of kindness, forgiveness, simplicity, and humilty that are still practiced by children (and should be practiced by adults).
Listen to the essay– Themes: New York – New York City, Educational Professions
Z
Zanuck, Darryl Francis, 1902-1979
Daryl Zanuck explains that the virtues he learned in his boyhood in Nebraska, charity and loyalty, are still the fundamental virtues that are most important in his life.
Listen to the essay– Themes: California, Arts or Entertainment Professions
Zeitlin, Jake, 1902-1987
Jake Zeitlin describes his beliefs in the liberty to live one’s life according to reason, in self-discipline, in the value of self-improvement through books and culture, in the importance of laughter, in the value of tempering faith in science with respect for humanity, and in the honesty of his wife and children.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Publishing and Writing Professions
Ziebarth, E. W. (Elmer William), 1910-
E.W. Ziebarth describes being challenged in high school to write out his beliefs and finds that, years later, his beliefs are just as difficult to pin down; nevertheless, he firmly believes in freedom, the worth and dignity of the individual, and the need to receive generalizations and proproganda with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Listen to the essay– Themes: Minnesota, Arts or Entertainment Professions, Educational Professions
Zorach, William, 1889-1966
William Zorach believes that people have had their faith strained and that it is important to get in touch with one’s creative ability to communicate and define one’s feelings in order to progress towards a world of happiness and prosperity.
Listen to the essay– Themes: 60 and over, Eastern European Nationality, Arts or Entertainment Professions