George Eliot

Is it not rather what we expect in men, that they should have numerous strands of experience lying side by side and never compare them with each other?

Sir Joshua would have been glad to take her portrait; and he would have had an easier task than the historian at least in this, that he would not have had to represent the truth of change - only to give stability to one beautiful moment.

What is opportunity to the man who can't use it? An unfecundated egg, which the waves of time wash away into nonentity.

Play not with paradoxes. That caustic which you handle in order to scorch others may happen to sear your own fingers and make them dead to the quality of things.

But human experience is usually paradoxical, that means incongruous with the phrases of current talk or even current philosophy.

In every parting there is an image of death.

Our passions do not live apart in locked chambers but dress in their small wardrobe of notions, bring their provisions to a common table and mess together, feeding out of the common store according to their appetite.

A patronizing disposition always has its meaner side.

The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.

The only failure a man ought to fear is failure in cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best.