125 Quotes by Elizabeth von Arnim

Keep quiet and say one’s prayers-certainly not merely the best, but the only things to do if one would be truly happy; but, ashamed of asking when I have received so much, the only form of prayer I would use would be a form of thanksgiving.

She had a sad face, yet she was evidently efficient. The combination used to make Mrs. Wilkins wonder, for she had been told by Mellersh, on days when she had only been able to get plaice, that if one were efficient one wouldn’t be depressed, and that if one does one’s job well one becomes automatically bright and brisk. About.

But it is impossible, I find, to tidy books without ending by sitting on the floor in the middle of a great untidiness and reading.

When I got to the library I came to a standstill, – ah, the dear room, what happy times I have spent in it rummaging amongst the books, making plans for my garden, building castles in the air, writing, dreaming, doing nothing.

Worse than jokes in the morning did she hate the idea of a husband.

Life is an admirable arrangement, isn’t it, little mother. It is so clever of it to have June in every year and a morning in every day, let alone things like birds, and Shakespeare, and one’s work.

Such a little difference in Susie’s ways and ideas would make them all so happy; such a little change in Peter’s habits would make his wife’s life radiant. But they all lived blindly, on, each day a day of emptiness, each of those precious days, so crowded with opportunities, and possibilities, and unheeded blessings, and presently life would be behind them, and their chances gone for ever.

Oh of course – how ridiculous of me!” cried Mrs. Wilkins, flushing scarlet. “It’s because” – she floundered – “it’s because the immortals somehow still seem alive, don’t they – as if they were here, going to walk into the room in another minute – and one forgets they are dead. In fact one knows perfectly well that they’re not dead – not nearly so dead as you and I even now,” she assured.

Reading was very important; the proper exercise and development of one’s mind was a paramount duty.