Thursday Thirteen 245: Quotes by Anne Bronte

Last month I read the classic Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë and loved it. Throughout the novel, I marked several passages that I liked and thought I would share them with all of you this week.

Nothing can be taught to any purpose without some little exertion on the part of the learner.

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"'A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.' It isn't only in them you speak to, but in yourself."

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When we hear a little good and no harm of a person, it is easy and pleasant to imagine more.

(Of course, just the opposite is true as well.)

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We have some thoughts that all the angels in heaven are welcome to behold, but not our brother-men—not even the best and kindest among them.

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Reading is my favorite occupation, when I have leisure for it and books to read.

(And Heaven knows there is plenty to read in my TBR pile!)

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Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are honest and of good report, think on these things.

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They that wish to prosper must devote themselves body and soul to their calling.

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I object to anyone so devoting himself or herself to study as to lose sight of everything else.

(A bit at odds of the above, perhaps, but though devoting time to one's studies or career is important, it's also important to try to have fun on occasion.)

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'No, thank you. I don't mind the rain,' I said. I always lacked common sense when taken by surprise.

(This one made me laugh aloud, especially as it came after a more serious scene in the previous chapter—and who can't relate to saying or doing stupid things when caught off guard?)

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Habitual associates are known to exercise a great influence over each other's minds and manners. Those whose actions are for ever before our eyes, whose words are ever in our ears, will naturally lead us, albeit against our will, slowly, gradually, imperceptively, perhaps, to act and speak as they do.

(I think this one could be applied to the media as well as to friends and family in this digital age.)

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Remember, the birds can feel as well as you.

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I can conceive few situations more harassing than that wherein, however you may long for success, however you may labour to fulfil [sic] your duty, your efforts are baffled and set at naught by those beneath you, and unjustly censured and misjudged by those above.

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People little know the injury they do to children by laughing at their faults, and making a pleasant jest of what their true friends have endeavoured to teach them to hold in grave abhorrence.

(Yes, it is sometimes difficult not to laugh at some of the things kids say and do, even when what they have said or done is wrong, but there is some truth to this one.)

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