... they know little of the passions who seek to argue with that most intractable of them all, the fear that is born of love.

I place flowers in the very first rank of simple pleasures; and I have no very good opinion of the hard worldly people who take no delight in them.

No fear of forgetting the good-humoured faces that meet us in our walks each day.

I have still the best comforts of life - books and friendships - and I trust never to lose my relish for either.

[On Elizabeth Barrett Browning:] Her sweetness of character is even beyond her genius.

Nothing so pretty to look at as my garden!

The slightest emotion of disinterested kindness that passes through the mind improves and refreshes that mind, producing generous thought and noble feeling, as the sun and rain foster your favourite flowers. Cherish kind wishes, my children; for a time may come when you may be enabled to put them in practice.