Quotes

To be a great and virtuous man appeared the highest honour that can befall a sensitive being; to be base and vicious, as many on record have been, appeared the lowest degradation, a condition more abject than that of the blind mole or harmless worm.

Yet unless the exchange be in love and kindly justice, it will but lead some to greed and others to hunger.

I cannot choose the best. The best chooses me.

The sympathies of our nature are strengthened by pondering cogitations, and deadened by thoughtless use.

Be thankful if they have good hearts.

I am angry nearly every day of my life, Jo, but I have learned not to show it, and I still hope to learn not to feel it, though it may take me another forty years to do so.

It is certain that I cannot always distinguish my own thoughts from those I read, because what I read becomes the very substance and texture of my mind.

We now began to feel a degree of safety, and to prepare ourselves for the duties and responsibilities of a life of freedom.

It is silly of you, for there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

A happy lot and portion is, good inclinations of the soul, good desires, good actions.

When you have fully considered all these things, approach, if you please—that is, if, by parting with them, you have a mind to purchase serenity, freedom, and tranquillity.

Therefore the man of skill is a master (to be looked up to) by him who has not the skill; and he who has not the skill is the helper of (the reputation of) him who has the skill.

The works of the great poets have never yet been read by mankind, for only great poets can read them.

Every soul is by this intrinsic necessity quitting its whole system of things, its friends, and home, and laws, and faith, as the shellfish crawls out of its beautiful but stony case, because it no longer admits of its growth, and slowly forms a new house.

She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother’s manners there was something better than politeness--there was good-humour and kindness.

Through this work I obtained a cursory knowledge of history and a view of the several empires at present existing in the world; it gave me an insight into the manners, governments, and religions of the different nations of the earth.

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

What you are you do not see, what you see is your shadow.