Quotes

A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

The parent who sedulously endeavours to form the heart and enlarge the understanding of his child, has given that dignity to the discharge of a duty, common to the whole animal world, that only reason can give.

The barren places between my mind and the minds of others blossomed like the rose.

There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long, even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty.

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.

There can be no excess to love; none to knowledge; none to beauty, when these attributes are considered in the purest sense.

Yet my heart overflowed with kindness and the love of virtue.

You have restored to me the prospect of working with some happiness and some chance of good.

Beth ceased to fear him from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.

The beautiful truth burst upon my mind--I felt that there were invisible lines stretched between my spirit and the spirits of others.

Let it not be in any man's power, to say truly of thee, that thou art not truly simple, or sincere and open, or not good.