Quotes

Thanks to that Being who impressed them on my soul, and gave me sufficient strength of mind to dare to exert my own reason, till becoming dependent only on him for the support of my virtue, I view with indignation, the mistaken notions that enslave my sex.

A man conscious of enthusiasm for worthy aims is sustained under petty hostilities by the memory of great workers who had to fight their way not without wounds, and who hover in his mind as patron saints, invisibly helping.

No little affectations marred it, and the cordial sweetness of her manner was more charming than the new beauty or the old grace, for it stamped her at once with the unmistakable sign of the true gentlewoman she had hoped to become.

There are, however, times when I long to sweep away half the things I am expected to learn; for the overtaxed mind cannot enjoy the treasure it has secured at the greatest cost.

The singing of a man cast away upon a desolate island might be as appropriately considered as evidence of contentment and happiness, as the singing of a slave; the songs of the one and of the other are prompted by the same emotion.

To become the spectator of one’s own life, as Harry says, is to escape the suffering of life.

To a reasonable creature, the same action is both according to nature, and according to reason.

To understand nature, and follow her.

Therefore the sage knows (these things) of himself, but does not parade (his knowledge); loves, but does not (appear to set a) value on, himself.

Every child begins the world again, to some extent, and loves to stay out doors, even in wet and cold.

It is a mischievous notion that we are come late into nature; that the world was finished a long time ago.

A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those elegant decorums which other people may observe.

The more I saw of them, the greater became my desire to claim their protection and kindness; my heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures; to see their sweet looks directed towards me with affection was the utmost limit of my ambition.

No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.

Once we dreamt that we were strangers. We wake up to find that we were dear to each other.

To say the truth, I do not know of what use is an improved taste, if the individual be not rendered more independent of the casualties of life; if new sources of enjoyment, only dependent on the solitary operations of the mind, are not opened.

Yet she liked her thoughts: a vigorous young mind not overbalanced by passion, finds a good in making acquaintance with life, and watches its own powers with interest.

The invigorating air did them both good, and much exercise worked wholesome changes in minds as well as bodies.