... it's always determined characters who make the greatest fools.

Rome ... seems to me the place in the world where one can best dispense with happiness.

Simplicity is a great element of good breeding.

I am persuaded that we are all surrounded by an atmosphere - a separate, sensitive, distinct envelope extending some distance from our visible persons - and whenever my invisible atmosphere is invaded, it affects my whole nervous system. The proximity of any bodies but those I love best is unendurable to my body.

The death I should prefer would be to break my neck off the back of a good horse at a full gallop on a fine day.

Carols of gladness ring from every tree.

[When her husband said her earnings as a married woman belonged to him:] I cannot persuade myself that that which I invent - create, in fact - can belong to anyone but myself! I wish that women could be dealt with, not mercifully, not compassionately, nor affectionately, but justly; it would be so much better - for the men.