But it is not the rich man only who is under the dominion of things; they too are slaves who, having no money, are unhappy from the lack of it.

There is this difference between the growth of some human beings and that of others: in the one case it is a continuous dying, in the other a continuous resurrection.

Were I asked, what is a fairytale? I should reply, Read Undine: that is a fairytale.

When we understand the outside of things, we think we have them. Yet the Lord puts his things in subdefined, suggestive shapes, yielding no satisfactory meaning to the mere intellect, but unfolding themselves to the conscience and heart.

But there are not a few who would be indignant at having their belief in God questioned, who yet seem greatly to fear imagining Him better than He is.

What distressed me most - more even than my own folly - was the perplexing question, How can beauty and ugliness dwell so near?

Forgiveness unleashes joy. It brings peace. It washes the slate clean. It sets all the highest values of love in motion.