Gentle feelings produce profoundly beneficial effects upon stern natures. It is the spring rain which melts the ice-covering of the earth, and causes it to open to the beams of heaven.

for the first time I tasted this tropical fruit, which people here are so fond of. ... I could have fancied I was biting into soap. I have a notion that we shall not become very good friends, the banana and I.

I have never as yet gone a step to see a literary lion but I would go a considerable way to see Emerson, this pioneer in the moral forests of the New World, who applies his axe to the roots of the old trees to hew them down and to open the paths for new planting.

At a certain depth all bosoms communicate, all hearts are one.

If you will learn the seriousness of life, and its beauty also, live for your husband make him happy.

People seek for the spiritual champagne, but they mistake what it is.

A fly is a very light burden but if it were perpetually to return and settle on one's nose, it might weary us of our very lives.

The humble soul is like the violet, which grows low, hangs the head downward, and hides itself with its own leaves.

It is quite affecting to observe how much the olive tree is to the country people. Its fruit supplies them with food, medicine and light its leaves, winter fodder for the goats and sheep it is their shelter from the heat and its branches and roots supply them with firewood. The olive tree is the peasant's all-in-all.

These Americans believe that everything is possible.

I have not, in general, much belief in the ability of woman as a creative artist. Unwritten lyrics, as [Ralph Waldo] Emerson said once when we conversed on this subject, should be her forte.

Serenity of manners is the zenith of beauty.