1870s Novel Quotes & Sayings

The physical thing in itself is not independently beautiful. Its beauty is made to shine through the elegance of its form: 'In visible things . . . the beautiful thing is essentially symmetrical, patterned. Symmetry itself owes its beauty to a remoter principle.' The force of invisible beauty infuses the visible object. This is the reason for ugliness: 'An ugly thing is something that has not been mastered by pattern.' For — John O'Donohue

How arrogant - how very far from humility - would be the self-satisfied, smug assurance that God, a tidy-up-after-us God will come and clean up our mess? Hope for a nanny God, who will with a miracle grant us amnesty from our folly - that's not aligned with either history or the text of the Bible. — Sheldon Whitehouse

Athletic competition clearly defines the unique power of our attitude. — Bart Starr

What the morrow's years might bring 'twas sin for man to know. — Statius

The Duke of Edinburgh has perfected the art of saying hello and goodbye in the same handshake. — Jennie Bond

What if two negatives make an affirmative ... does it follow that two nobodies shall be some body? — Samuel Laman Blanchard

It must be recess in (heaven) if St. Peter is lettin his angels out. — Zora Neale Hurston

However we select from nature a complex [of phenomena] using the criterion of simplicity, in no case will its theoretical treatment turn out to be forever appropriate (sufficient) ... I do not doubt that the day will come when [general relativity], too, will have to yield to another one, for reasons which at present we do not yet surmise. I believe that this process of deepening theory has no limits. — Albert Einstein

Our senses, our appetites, and our passions, are our lawful and faithful guides, in most things that relate solely to this life; and, therefore, by the hourly necessity of consulting them, we gradually sink into an implicit submission, and habitual confidence. Every act of compliance with their motions facilitates a second compliance, every new step towards depravity is made with less reluctance than the former, and thus the descent to life merely sensual is perpetually accelerated. — Samuel Johnson

I take issue with those who criticize 'The Biggest Loser' for pushing contestants too hard. The whole point is to push them hard. Otherwise, there's no change. — Alison Sweeney

He is dressed in a long, white robe and in his hand is a white cap. I draw up as he passes down the hall; he does not see me. Shortly I hear a horse leaving. There is much I do not know about him, but tonight I know one of his secrets. He is a midnight rider. — Nancy B. Brewer

Memories are their own descendents masquerading as the ancestors of the present. — David Mitchell

A monk asks:Is there anything more miraculous than the wonders of nature?The master answers:Yes, your awareness of the wonders of nature. — Angelus Silesius

Not everyone can fly by bubble ! — Gregory Maguire