George Eliot

The beginning of compunction is the beginning of a new life.

In the vain laughter of folly wisdom hears half its applause.

There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and have recovered hope.

Errors look so very ugly in persons of small means – one feels they are taking quite a liberty in going astray; whereas people of fortune may naturally indulge in a few delinquencies.

We hand folks over to God’s mercy, and show none ourselves.

Quarrel? Nonsense; we have not quarreled. If one is not to get into a rage sometimes, what is the good of being friends?

Every man has a right to utter what he thinks truth, and every other man has a right to knock him down for it. Martyrdom is the test.

We hear and apprehend only what we already half know.

What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?

The trouble ain’t that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain’t distributed right.

It is by the goodness of God that we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them.

Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be.

The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.

Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power.

I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know deserves it, but I am afraid he is an attorney.

It is not known precisely where angels dwell whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God’s pleasure that we should be informed of their abode.

Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.

Self-trust is the essence of heroism.

My emancipation don’t fit your equation.

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild’ is a snivelling modern invention, with no warrant in the gospels.

To find yourself, think for yourself.