SOPHIE SWETCHINE

One must be a somebody before they can have a enemy. One must be a force before he can be resisted by another force.

Repentance is accepted remorse.

We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more.

We reform others unconsciously when we walk uprightly.

Youth should be a savings bank.

The mind wears the colors of the soul, as a valet those of his master.

There are two ways of attaining an important end, force and perseverance; the silent power of the latter grows irresistible with time.

The ideal friendship is to feel as one while remaining two.

There are words which are worth as much as the best actions, for they contain the germ of them all.

The chains which cramp us most are those which weigh on us least.

The best advice on the art of being happy is about as easy to follow as advice to be well when one is sick.

To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.

Strength alone knows conflict, weakness is born vanquished.

Travel is the frivolous part of serious lives, and the serious part of frivolous ones.

In order to have an enemy, one must be somebody. One must be a force before he can be resisted by another force. A malicious enemy is better than a clumsy friend.

We expect everything and are prepared for nothing.

Our vanity is the constant enemy of our dignity.

In this world of change, nothing which comes stays, and nothing which goes is lost.

When fresh sorrows have caused us to take some steps in the right way, we may not complain. We have invested in a life annuity, but the income remains.

We are amused through the intellect, but it is the heart that saves us from ennui.

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.

Pride dries the tears of anger and vexation; humility, those of grief. The one is indignant that we should suffer; the other calms us by the reminder that we deserve nothing else.

Respect is a serious thing in him who feels it, and the height of honor for him who inspires the feeling.

In youth we feel richer for every new illusion; in maturer years, for every one we lose.

Resignation is, to some extent, spoiled for me by the fact that it is so entirely conformable to the laws of common-sense. I should like just a little more of the supernatural in the practice of my favorite virtue.