George Eliot

Consequences are unpitying.

We must not inquire too curiously into motives… They are apt to become feeble in the utterance: the aroma is mixed with the grosser air. We must keep the germinating grain away from the light.

Genius at first is little more than a great capacity for receiving discipline.

Miss Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress.

Our words have wings, but fly not where we would.

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

It is better to be frightened now than killed hereafter

Out of the unconscious lips of babes and sucklings are we satirized.

I teach that all men are mad.

A lot of power and bravery is practice. And some of that is taking the risk to try and be at the table. And then when you’re at the table, taking that first risk to open your mouth and risk being rejected.

Hitch your wagon to a star.

My facts shall be falsehoods to the common sense. I would so state facts that they shall be significant, shall be myths or mythologies. Facts which the mind perceived, thoughts which the body thought – with these I deal.

Farmers are respectable and interesting to me in proportion as they are poor.

Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.

Very few people can afford to be poor.

Learn to say “I don’t know.” If used when appropriate, it will be often.

When our relatives are at home, we have to think of all their good points or it would be impossible to endure them. But when they are away, we console ourselves for their absence by dwelling on their vices.

Every fact is related on one side to sensation, and, on the other, to morals. The game of thought is, on the appearance of one of these two sides, to find the other; given the upper, to find the under side.

Rare virtues are like rare plants or animals, things that have not been able to hold their own in the world. A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner but more durable metal.

Syllables govern the world.

Philosophers make imaginary laws for imaginary commonwealths, and their discourses are as the stars, which give little light because they are so high.