What a man is lies as certainly upon his countenance as in his heart, though none of his acquaintances may be able to read it. The very intercourse with him may have rendered it more difficult.

Real good-breeding is independent of the forms and refinements of what has assumed to itself the name of society.

If both Church and fairy-tale belong to humanity, they may occasionally cross circles, without injury to either.

Forgiveness is the giving, and so the receiving, of life.

It is our best work that God wants, not the dregs of our exhaustion. I think he must prefer quality to quantity.

Whose work is it but your own to open your eyes? But indeed the business of the universe is to make such a fool out of you that you will know yourself for one, and begin to be wise.

To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.