But what we strive to gratify, though we may call it a distant hope, is an immediate desire; the future estate for which men drudge up city alleys exists already in their imagination and love.
George EliotHe had the superficial kindness of a good-humored, self-satisfied nature, that fears no rivalry, and has encountered no contrarieties.
George EliotTo have in general but little feeling, seems to be the only security against feeling too much on any particular occasion.
George EliotIt is the way with half the truth amidst which we live, that it only haunts us and makes dull pulsations that are never born into sound.
George EliotIf we only look far enough off for the consequence of our actions, we can always find some point in the combination of results by which those actions can be justified: by adopting the point of view of a Providence who arranges results, or of a philosopher who traces them, we shall find it possible to obtain perfect complacency in choosing to do what is most agreeable to us in the present moment.
George Eliot