George Eliot

The world is full of hopeful analogies and handsome, dubious eggs, called possibilities.

Hostesses who entertain much must make up their parties as ministers make up their cabinets, on grounds other than personal liking.

Our virtues are dearer to us the more we have had to suffer for them. It is the same with our children. All profound affection entertains a sacrifice. Our thoughts are often worse than we are, just as they are often better.

Any coward can fight a battle when he’s sure of winning, but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he’s sure of losing. That’s my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.

Jealousy is never satisfied with anything short of an omniscience that would detect the subtlest fold of the heart.

Human beings must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.

One must be an inventor to read well. There is then creative reading as well as creative writing.

Shame arises from the fear of men, conscience from the fear of God.

Refrain from asking what going to happen tomorrow, and everyday that fortune grants you, count as gain.

Boldness is ever blind, for it sees not dangers and inconveniences whence it is bad in council though good in execution.

I will never do this, says one, yet does it: I am resolved to do this, says another; but flags upon second Thoughts: Or does it, tho’ awkwardly, for his Word’s sake: As if it were worse to break his Word, than to do amiss in keeping it.

The Pause; that impressive silence, that eloquent silence, that geometrically progressive silence which often achieves a desired effect where no combination of words, however so felicitous, could accomplish it.

The squirrel that you kill in jest, dies in earnest.

They are decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent.

Of all debts men are least willing to pay the taxes. What a satire is this on government! Everywhere they think they get their moneys worth, except for these.

It is better to walk alone, then with a crowd going in the wrong direction.

Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est (Knowledge Itself Is Power)

It’s much better to do good in a way that no one knows anything about it.

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!

If you live for people’s acceptance, you’ll die from their rejections.

Understanding is a two-way street.