But what we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.

When a man has seen the woman whom he would have chosen if he had intended to marry speedily, his remaining a bachelor will usually depend on her resolution rather than on his.

"Heaven help us," said the old religion; the new one, from its very lack of that faith, will teach us all the more to help one another.

The greatest benefit we owe to the artist, whether painter, poet, or novelist, is the extension of our sympathies.

Joy is the best of wine.

The tale of the Divine Pity was never yet believed from lips that were not felt to be moved by human pity.

The men are mostly so slow, their thoughts overrun 'em, an' they can only catch 'em by the tail. I can count a stocking-top while a man's getting's tongue ready; an' when he outs wi' his speech at last, there's little broth to be made on't. It's your dead chicks take the longest hatchin'.