Quote collection
356 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"The scar will remain, but it is better for a man to lose both arms than his soul; and these hard years, instead of being lost, may be made the most precious of your lives, if they teach you to rule yourselves."
"Wild roses are fairest, and nature a better gardener than art."
"It takes very little fire to make a great deal of smoke nowadays, and notoriety is not real glory."
"Don't laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason."
"You have grown abominably lazy, and you like gossip, and waste time on frivolous things, you are contented to be petted and admired by silly people, instead of being loved and respected by wise ones."
"To be strong, and beautiful, and go round making music all the time. Yes, she could do that, and with a very earnest prayer Polly asked for the strength of an upright soul, the beauty of a tender heart, the power to make her life a sweet and stirring song, helpful while it lasted, remembered when it died."
"You say often you wish a library; here I gif you one; for between these two lids (he meant covers) is many books in one. Read him well, and he will help you much; for the study of character in this book will help you to read it in the world, and paint it with your pen."
"For with eyes made clear by many tears, and a heart softened by the tenderest sorrow, she recognized the beauty of her sister's life—uneventful, unambitious, yet full of the genuine virtues which 'smell sweet, and blossom in the dust', the self-forgetfulness that makes the humblest on earth remembered soonest in heaven, the true success which is possible to all."
"Power is a dangerous thing. Be careful that you don't abuse it or let it make a tyrant of you."
"The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them."
"A time will come when you will find that in gaining a brief joy you have lost your peace forever."
"Many argue; not many converse."
"There is very little real liberty in the world; even those who seem freest are often the most tightly bound. Law, custom, public opinion, fear or shame make slaves of us all, as you will find when you try your experiment."
"Don't try to make me grow up before my time."
"I don't pretend to be wise, but I am observing, and I see a great deal more than you'd imagine. I'm interested in other people's experiences and inconsistencies, and, though I can't explain, I remember and use them for my own benefit."
"...for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride."
"If we are all alive ten years hence, let's meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now."
"I believe that it is as much a right and duty for women to do something with their lives as for men and we are not going to be satisfied with such frivolous parts as you give us."
"I could have been a great many things."
"…proved that woman isn't a half but a whole human being, and can stand alone."