Of all the bitter and heavy things in this sorry old world, the not being necessary is the bitterest and heaviest.

silence is very moving to youth, for who knows what it hides?

What I object to in Mother is that she wants me to think her thoughts. Apart from the question of hypocrisy, I prefer my own.

... there must be reserves -- except with God. The human soul is solitary. But for confession that is different; justice and reparation sometimes demand it; but, again, justice and courage sometimes forbid it.

faith, it seems to me, is not the holding of certain dogmas; it is simply openness and readiness of heart to believe any truth which God may show.

There isn't any virtue where there has never been any temptation.

If you are kind to an enemy, you cannot hate him.