Quote

Any base heart can devise means of vileness, and affix the ugly shapings of its own fancy to the actions of those around him but it requires loftiness of mind, and the heaven-born spirit of virtue, to imagine greatness where it is not, and to deck the sordid objects of nature in the beautiful robes of loveliness and light.

Jane Porter

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Jane Porter
Age: 74 †
Born: 1776
Born: January 17
Died: 1850
Died: May 24
Novelist
Writer
Durham
England
Mean
Born
Requires
Devise
Heart
Means
Actions
Sordid
Mind
Action
Ugly
Loveliness
Spirit
Greatness
Robes
Nature
Objects
Deck
Beautiful
Virtue
Suspicion
Affix
Around
Imagine
Base
Loftiness
Light
Heaven
Fancy
Vileness

More quotes by Jane Porter

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National antipathy is the basest, because the most illiberal and illiterate of all prejudices.
Jane Porter
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That grief is the most durable which flows inward, and buries its streams with its fountain, in the depths of the heart.
Jane Porter
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It is not designed that the road should be made too smooth for us here upon earth.
Jane Porter
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Be shocking, be daring, be bold, be passionate.
Jane Porter
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I never yet heard man or woman much abused, that I was not inclined to think the better of them and to transfer any suspicion or dislike, to the person who appeared to take delight in pointing out the defects of a fellow-creature.
Jane Porter
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none are fit judges of greatness but those who are capable of it.
Jane Porter
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Goodness is equally hateful to the wicked, as vice is to the virtuous.
Jane Porter
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We value the devotedness of friendship rather as an oblation to vanity than as a free interchange of hearts an endearing contract of sympathy, mutual forbearance, and respect!
Jane Porter
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Bright was the summer of 1296. The war which had desolated Scotland was then at an end.
Jane Porter
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Compulsion hardly restores right love yields all things.
Jane Porter
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Life is a warfare and he who easily desponds deserts a double duty--he betrays the noblest property of man, which is dauntless resolution and he rejects the providence of that All-Gracious Being who guides and rules the universe.
Jane Porter
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A sincere acquaintance with ourselves teaches us humility and from humility springs that benevolence which compassionates the transgressors we condemn, and prevents the punishments we inflict from themselves partaking of crime, in being rather the wreakings of revenge than the chastisements of virtue.
Jane Porter
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Yet happiness isn't something you chase, it's something you are. It's something you think, it's something you believe.
Jane Porter
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The flatterer easily insinuates himself into the closet, while honest merit stands shivering in the hall or antechamber.
Jane Porter
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Where there is any good disposition, confidence begets faithfulness but distrust, if it do not produce treachery never fails to destroy every inclination to evince fidelity. Most people disdain to clear themselves from the accusations of mere suspicion.
Jane Porter
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Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray nay, when it strikes on a kindred heart, like the converged light on a mirror, it reflects itself with redoubled brightness. It is not perfected till it is shared.
Jane Porter
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If cowardice were not so completely a coward as to be unable to look steadily upon the effects of courage, he would find that there is no refuge so sure as dauntless valor.
Jane Porter
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Don't live to please others. Don't think everyone else knows what's right or true. Listen to yourself, and be true to yourself. That way, no matter what else happens in life, you will always have your self-respect.
Jane Porter
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How different is the ready hand, tearful eye, and soothing voice, from the ostentatious appearance which is called pity.
Jane Porter
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Beauty of form affects the mind, but then it must be understood that it is not the mere shell that we admire we are attracted by the idea that this shell is only a beautiful case adjusted to the shape and value of a still more beautiful pearl within. The perfection of outward loveliness is the soul shining through its crystalline covering.
Jane Porter