Quotes from Anne Bronte

I was not sent into the world merely to exercise the good capacities and good feelings of others - was I? - but to exert my own towards them; and when I marry, I shall expect to find more pleasure in making my wife happy and comfortable, than in being made so by her: I would rather give than receive.

It is foolish to which for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves, or care about it in others. If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior. So said the teachers of our childhood; and so say we to the children of the present day, all very judicious and proper, no doubt; but such assertions supported by actual experience?

What a tiresome custom that is, by the by - one among the many sources of factitious annoyance of this ultra civilised life. If the gentlemen must lead the ladies into the dining-room, why cannot they take those they like best?

but if I hate the sins I love the sinner

I wished to tell the truth, for truth always conveys its own moral to those who are able to receive it.

What the world stigmatizes as romantic is often more nearly allied to the truth than is commonly supposed.

Are you hero enough to unite yourself to one whom you know to be suspected and despised by all around you, and identify your interests and your honor with hers?

The gentlemen seemed better, but, perhaps, it was because I knew them less - perhaps, because they flattered me; but I did not fall in love with any of them; and, if their attentions pleased me one moment, they provoked me the next, because they put me out of humour with myself, by revealing my vanity and making me fear I was becoming like some of the ladies I so heartily despised.

Un exceso de vanidad, como la borrachera, endurece el corazón, esclaviza las facultades y pervierte los sentimientos.

sick of mankind and their disgusting ways...

All our talents increase in the using, and every faculty, both good and bad, strengthens by exercise: therefore, if you choose to use the bad, or those which tend to evil till they become your masters, and neglect the good till they dwindle away, you have only yourself to blame.

Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them; and if such an occasion should never present itself, comfort your mind with this reflection: that, though in single life your joys may not be very many, your sorrows, at least, will not be more than you can bear.

I would rather have your friendship than the love of any other woman in the world.

I love the silent hour of night, for blissful dreams may then arise, revealing to my charmed sight what may not bless my waking eyes.

Life and hope must cease together.

Increase of love brings increase of happiness, when it is mutual, and pure as that will be.

There is always a 'but' in this imperfect world.

It is painful to doubt the sincerity of those we love.

if I hate the sins, I love the sinner, and would do much for his salvation

I cannot love a man who cannot protect me.

I gave up hoping...But, still, I would think of him, I would cherish his image in my mind, and treasure every word, look and gesture that memory could retain.

It is better to arm and strengthen your hero, than to disarm and enfeeble your foe.

Every action we take, everything we do, is either a victory or defeat in the struggle to become what we want to be.

She was trusted and valued by her father, loved and courted by all dogs, cats, children, and poor people, and slighted and neglected by everybody else.