I always think photographs abominable, and I don't like to have them around, particularly not those of persons I know and love. Those photographic portraits wither much sooner than we ourselves do, whereas the painted portrait is a thing which is felt, done with love.

We are having wind and rain here, and I am very glad not to be alone. I work from memory on bad days, and that would not do if I were alone.

One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul, and yet no one ever comes to sit by it.

But for one's health as you say, it is very necessary to work in the garden and see the flowers growing.

One can never study nature too much and too hard

If one were to say but few words, though ones with meaning, one would do better than to say many that were only empty sounds, and just as easy to utter as they were of little use.

The lamps are burning and the starry sky is over it all.