... one always believes one's own town to be more stupid than any other.

What moments of despair that life would ever be made precious to me by the consciousness that I lived to some good purpose! It was that sort of despair that sucked away the sap of half the hours which might have been filled by energetic youthful activity: and the same demon tries to get hold of me again whenever an old work is dismissed and a new one is being meditated.

Do we not all agree to call rapid thought and noble impulse by the name of inspiration?

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

... there is a lightness about the feminine mind--a touch and go--music, the fine arts, that kind of thing--they should study those up to a certain point, women should; but in a light way, you know.

Better spend an extra hundred or two on your son's education, than leave it him in your will.

It is pleasant to have a kind word now and then when one is not near enough to have a kind glance or a hearty shake by the hand.