Wednesday, April 11, 2012

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.

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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.)

~*~*~*~

'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?)

~*~*~*~

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.)

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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.)







20 comments:

colleen said...

I like reviews like this, done with highlighted quotes.

I have a letter my father's Irish mother wrote to him and she uses the wore "ye" for you.

Heather said...

Thanks, Colleen! I really enjoyed this novel, and look forward to reading another of her's sometime this year, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. And what a treasured heirloom you have in that letter!

Shelley Munro said...

I like the way that the sentiments could apply to today as well as back when the novel was written.

Heather said...

Shelley: Yes, that is what I like about them, too.

Alice Audrey said...

I actually read a ton. But not so much in book form anymore.

I hadn't realized she had so many words of wisdom, even though I recognize several of these.

Mia Celeste said...

Oh, I'm going to add this novel to my to-read pile. I love her sisters' work and the quotes you've picked make me think I'll like this novel too. Thanks.

http://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2012/04/luncheon-not-soon-forgotten-barbara.html

Heather said...

Alice: There are times I wish I had an ereader of some sort. Though I have a ton of ebooks on the computer, I have difficulty actually reading them on the computer.

Brenda: Glad I've inspired you to pick up this novel. I had mixed feelings over her sisters' books. Love Jane Eyre, which I've read twice, but have tried unsuccessfully to get through Wuthering Heights twice.

Rita Sawyer said...

I've never read this, but may check it out.
www.RitaSawyer.com

I am Harriet said...

So true about the last one.


Have a great Thursday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2012/04/earth-day-is-april-22nd/

kayerj said...

loved this post and this book.

Janice Seagraves said...

I love the quotes. As for the last one, I remember my mom laughing at me when I said or did something wrong. It hurt my feelings, so I tried not to laugh at my daughter unless she tried to make me laugh.

Janice~

Forgetfulone said...

Love the one about reading. Wish that was my main occupation!

Heather said...

Rita: This one sat on Mount TBR for a couple years before I finally read it, and I was wishing I had done so sooner. If you like Austen or the other Brontes, do give it a try!

Harriet: Thank you, and thanks for visiting!

Thanks, Kaye! *VBG*

Heather said...

Janice: I'm sure we have all experienced moments like that, either with friends or family. Like you, remember how fragile young egos are and try to learn from it.

Forgetfulone: I'm sure many of us wish we could get paid for reading. Would be nice, yes? *G*

Alice Audrey said...

I do, too. I have to make myself set out to read them. I'll have to ask for an ereader for Christmas, because I can't seem to get myself to shell out for one even though I really want one.

sherilee said...

Lovely list of some memorable words. I love quotes, I'll have to make a note of a few of these; much as I'd like to read the book one day, the stack is already too high (I like how one of your commenters called it Mount TBR!) to make those kinds of promises!

Paige Tyler said...

Great TT!

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.com

Heather said...

Alice: I confess, I was a little surprised not to get one from my sister and BIL last Christmas. That's just the sort of thing they Gadget Duo would buy me! One of thee days...maybe.

Sherilee: LOL - That was actually me who refered to my book stack as Mount TBR. Sadly, that is no exageration. *g*

Thanks, Paige - and thanks for visiting!

CountryDew said...

This is great. I like this very much.

I wish I would highlight my books, but I have this thing about writing in them.

Heather said...

Anita: I only mark an 'x' next to a word or passage I want to go back to, that way I can easily erase it later if I desire and the book isn't all marked up.