If one doesn't know one's own country, one doesn't have standards for foreign countries.

Our modern wars make many unhappy while they last and none happy when they are over.

A great artist... must be shaken by the naked truths that will not be comforted. This divine discontent, this disequilibrium, this state of inner tension is the source of artistic energy.

Nature is beneficent. I praise her and all her works. She is silent and wise. She is cunning, but for good ends. She has brought me here and will also lead me away. She may scold me, but she will not hate her work. I trust her.

Manners form the great charm of women.

Woe to him who would ascribe something like reason to Chance, and make a religion of surrendering to it.

Children can scarcely be fashioned to meet with our likes and our purpose. Just as God did us give them, so must we hold them and love them, nurture and teach them to fullness and leave them to be what they are.