“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.” WorldChildrenHandsLightFatherIndividualGrowthReadyThirdsProductionsFinishedPassingPassingsHostMultitudesScandalFinishingPassing ThroughFinishing Touches Author:Sophie Swetchine
“It would seem that by our sorrows only are we called to a knowledge of the Infinite. Are we happy? The limits of life constrain us on all sides.” SeemsSidesSorrowLimitsInfiniteConstrain Author:Sophie Swetchine
“Let us resist the opinion of the world fearlessly, provided only that our self-respect grows in proportion to our indifference.” WorldSelfGrowsOpinionIndifferenceProportionSelf Respect Author:Sophie Swetchine
“There are minds constructed like the eyes of certain insects, which discern, with admirable distinctness, the most delicate lineaments and finest veins of the leaf which bears them, but are totally unable to take in the ensemble of the plant or shrub. When error has effected an entrance into such minds, it remains there impregnable, because no general view assists them in throwing off the chance impression of the moment.” MindMomentsEyeCertainChanceViewsBearsRemainsPlantErrorsImpressionThrowingDelicateFinestLeafsVeinsInsectsAdmirableEntrancesEnsembleShrubs Author:Sophie Swetchine
“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.” IfsEyeStepsKindnessFailingSeedsRejoicePerfumePathways Author:Sophie Swetchine
“As we advance in life the circle of our pains enlarges, while that of our pleasures contracts.” AgePainPleasureCirclesContracts Author:Sophie Swetchine
“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.” LightAgeFaithLeftGrowsGoes OnSorrowPureSolitudeShiningOld AgeRevelations Author:Sophie Swetchine
“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.” GivingLightAgeLawSupportConditionsCreationShadowHarmonyClimateSizeOld AgeProportionContrastSplendorSolemnityMildness Author:Sophie Swetchine
“Years do not make sages; they only make old men.” MenYearsAgeAgingOld ManSage Author:Sophie Swetchine
“Antiquity is a species of aristocracy with which it is not easy to be on visiting terms.” EasyTermSpeciesVisitingAristocracyAntiquity Author:Sophie Swetchine