Sophie Swetchine
The world has no sympathy with any but positive griefs. It will pity you for what you lose; never for what you lackCollection: Sympathy
Death is the justification of all the ways of the Christian, the last end of all his sacrifices, the touch of the Great Master which completes the picture.Collection: Christian
Respect is a serious thing in him who feels it, and the height of honor for him who inspires the feeling.Collection: Respect
Loving souls are like paupers. They live on what is given them.Collection: Soul
Liberty must be a mighty thing; for by it God punishes and rewards nations.Collection: Liberty
Attention is a silent and perpetual flattery.Collection: Attention
He who has never denied himself for the sake of giving has but glanced at the joys of charity.Collection: Giving
To reveal imprudently the spot where we are most sensitive and vulnerable is to invite a blow. The demigod Achilles admitted no one to his confidence.Collection: Confidence
Our faults afflict us more than our good deeds console. Pain is ever uppermost in the conscience as in the heart.Collection: Pain
God has prohibited despair.Collection: Despair
Consolation heaps without contact; somewhat like the blessed air which we need but to breathe.Collection: Blessed
The best of lessons, for a good many people, would be to listen at a keyhole. It is a pity for such that the practice is dishonorable.Collection: Practice
Antiquity is a species of aristocracy with which it is not easy to be on visiting terms.Collection: Aristocracy
Old age is not one of the beauties of creation, but it is one of its harmonies. The law of contrasts is one of the laws of beauty. Under the conditions of our climate, shadow gives light its worth; sternness enhances mildness; solemnity, splendor. Varying proportions of size support and subserve one another.Collection: Light
Life grows darker as we go on, till only one pure light is left shining on it; and that is faith. Old age, like solitude and sorrow, has its revelations.Collection: Faith
Let us not fail to scatter along our pathway the seeds of kindness and sympathy. Some of them will doubtless perish; but if one only lives, it will perfume our steps and rejoice our eyes.Collection: Kindness
Silence is like nightfall. Objects are lost in it insensibly.Collection: Silence
A good, finished scandal, fully armed and equipped, such as circulates in the world, is rarely the production of a single individual, or even of a single coterie. It sees the light in one; is rocked and nurtured in another; is petted, developed, and attains its growth in a third; and receives its finishing touches only after passing through a multitude of hands. It is a child that can count a host of fathers--all ready to disown it.Collection: Children
I can understand the things that afflict mankind, but I often marvel at God those which console. An atom may wound, but God alone can heal.Collection: God
In this world of change naught which comes stays and naught which goes is lost.Collection: Change
The symptoms of compassion and benevolence, in some people, are like those minute guns which warn you that you are in deadly peril.Collection: Compassion
Indulgence is lovely in the sinless; toleration, adorable in the pious and believing heart.Collection: Believe
Men are always invoking justice; yet it is justice which should make them tremble.Collection: Men
Providence has hidden a charm in difficult undertakings, which is appreciated only by those who dare to grapple with them.Collection: Perseverance
Those who make us happy are always thankful to us for being so; their gratitude is the reward of their benefits.Collection: Gratitude
The heart has always the pardoning power.Collection: Forgiveness
I like people to be saints; but I want them to be first and superlatively honest men.Collection: Honesty
Happiness and Virtue clasp hands and walk together.Collection: Hands