The fear of being an old maid made young girls rush into matrimony with a recklessness that astonishes.

Jo's eyes sparkled, for it's always pleasant to be believed in; and a friend's praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs.

... for it is the small temptations which undermine integrity unless we watch and pray and never think them too trivial to be resisted.

The scar will remain, but it is better for a man to lose both arms than his soul; and these hard years, instead of being lost, may be made the most precious of your lives, if they teach you to rule yourselves.

Don't cry so bitterly, but remember this day, and resolve with all your soul that you will never know another like it.

…misfortune was much more interesting to her than good luck.

He looked at her an instant, for the effect of the graceful girlish figure with pale, passionate face and dark eyes full of sorrow, pride and resolution was wonderfully enhanced by the gloom of the great room, and glimpses of a gathering storm in the red autumn sky.