... it is one of the gains of advancing age that the good of young creatures becomes a more definite intense joy to us. With that renunciation for ourselves which age inevitably brings, we get more freedom of soul to enter into the life of others; what we can never learn they will know, and the gladness which is a departed sunlight to us is rising with the strength of morning to them.

Life is measured by the rapidity of change, the succession of influences that modify the being.

I had some ambition. I meant everything to be different with me. I thought I had more strength and mastery. But the most terrible obstacles are such as nobody can see except oneself.

It’s rather a strong check to one’s self-complacency to find how much of one’s right doing depends on not being in want of money.

Marriage must be a relation either of sympathy or of conquest.

In travelling I shape myself betimes to idleness And take fools' pleasure

Beauty is part of the finished language by which goodness speaks.