Quotes from Sophie Swetchine

Repentance is accepted remorse.

The best advice on the art of being happy is about as easy to follow as advice to be well when one is sick.

There are two ways of attaining an important end, force and perseverance; the silent power of the latter grows irresistible with time.

We expect everything and are prepared for nothing.

We reform others unconsciously when we walk uprightly.

There are questions so indiscreet, that they deserve neither truth nor falsehood in reply.

My sole defense against the natural horror which death inspires is to love beyond it.

Travel is the frivolous part of serious lives, and the serious part of frivolous ones.

If we look closely at this earth, where God seems so utterly forgotten, we shall find that it is He, after all, who commands the most fidelity and the most love.

He who has ceased to enjoy his friend's superiority has ceased to love him.

I love victory, but I love not triumph.

The beings who appear cold, but are only timid, adore where they dare to love.

Youth should be a savings bank.

In order to have an enemy, one must be somebody. One must be a force before he can be resisted by another force. A malicious enemy is better than a clumsy friend.

I like people to be saints; but I want them to be first and superlatively honest men.

Since there must be chimeras, why is not perfection the chimera of all men?

In this world of change, nothing which comes stays, and nothing which goes is lost.

Years do not make sages; they only make old men.

Death is the justification of all the ways of the Christian, the last end of all his sacrifices, the touch of the Great Master which completes the picture.

One must be a somebody before they can have a enemy. One must be a force before he can be resisted by another force.

We are often prophets to others only because we are our own historians.

The inventory of my faith for this lower world is soon made out. I believe in Him who made it.