Nothing on earth can make up for the loss of one who has loved you.

Have you ever seen a child sitting on its mother’s knee listening to fairy stories? As long as the child is told of cruel giants and of the terrible suffering of beautiful princesses, it holds its head up and its eyes open; but if the mother begins to speak of happiness and sunshine, the little one closes its eyes and falls asleep with its head against her breast. . . . I am a child like that, too. Others may like stories of flowers and sunshine; but I choose the dark nights and sad destinies.

There is so much one would rather not believe until one has seen for oneself whether it is true.

The ways of Providence cannot be reasoned out by the finite mind ... I cannot fathom them, yet seeking to know them is the most satisfying thing in all the world.

A man may be outlawed for the sake of a fish net he has never seen.

There isn't much that tastes better than praise from those who are wise and capable.

For, so long as there are interesting books to read, it seems to me that neither I nor anyone else, for that matter, need be unhappy.