O, the mulberry-tree is of trees the queen! Bare long after the rest are green; But as time steals onwards, while none perceives Slowly she clothes herself with leaves.
Dinah Maria Murlock CraikNothing but a speck we seem In the waste of waters round, Floating, floating like a dream, Outward bound.
Dinah Maria Murlock CraikWhat comfort there is in a cheerful spirit! how the heart leaps up to meet a sunshiny face, a merry tongue, an even temper, and a heart which either naturally, or, what is better, from conscientious principle, has learned to take all things on their bright side, believing that the Giver of life being all-perfect Love, the best offering we can make to Him is to enjoy to the full what He sends of good, and bear what He allows of evil!
Dinah Maria Murlock Craikabsence ... smothers into decay a rootless fancy but often nourishes the least seed of a true affection into full-flowering love.
Dinah Maria Murlock CraikDo your neighbour good by all means in your power, moral as well as physical - by kindness, by patience, by unflinching resistance against every outward evil - by the silent preaching of your own contrary life. But if the only good you can do him is by talking at him, or about him - nay, even to him, if it be in a self-satisfied, super-virtuous style - such as I earnestly hope the present writer is not doing - you had much better leave him alone.
Dinah Maria Murlock Craik