It is a common enough case, that of a man being suddenly captivated by a woman nearly the opposite of his ideal.
George EliotWith a single drop of ink for a mirror, the Egyptian sorcerer undertakes to reveal to any chance comer far-reaching visions of the past. This is what I undertake to do for you, reader.
George EliotThe difficult task of knowing another soul is not for young gentlemen whose consciousness is chiefly made up of their own wishes.
George EliotOne has to spend so many years in learning how to be happy. I am just beginning to make some progress in the science, and I hope to disprove Young's theory that "as soon as we have found the key of life it opes the gates of death." Every year strips us of at least one vain expectation, and teaches us to reckon some solid good in its stead. I never will believe that our youngest days are our happiest. What a miserable augury for the progress of the race and the destination of the individual if the more matured and enlightened state is the less happy one!
George Eliot