Quotes from Sarah Josepha Hale

Riches are always over estimated; the enjoyment they give is more in the pursuit than the possession.

This is a speculating and selfish age; and to think 'money will answer all things,' is too much the characteristic of Americans.

the engrossing pursuit of Americans is wealth.

What a ready passport wealth gives its possessor to the good opinions of this world!

No influence is so powerful as that of the mother.

There is no influence so powerful as that of the mother, but next in rank in efficacy is that of the schoolmaster.

many tender, delicate mothers, seem to think that to make their children eat, is all that is requisite to make them great.

And evermore the waters worship God;-- And bards and prophets tune their mystic lyres While listening to the music of the waves!

Morning ... 'tis Nature's gayest hour!

Water is the grand epic of creation; and there is not a human soul but feels the influence of its majesty, its power, or its beauty.

Do not, as you value the health and happiness of those who sit at your table, place before them hot leavened bread or biscuit.

Nor need we power or splendor, wide hall or lordly dome; The good, the true, the tender - these form the wealth of home.

It requires but a few threads of hope, for the heart that is skilled in the secret, to weave a web of happiness.

There is no impossibility to him who stands prepared to conquer every hazard. The fearful are the failing.

Oh, wondrous power! how little understood, Entrusted to the mother's mind alone, To fashion genius, form the soul for good, Inspire a West, or train a Washington.

And you each gentle animal In confidence may bind, And make them follow at your call, If you are always kind.

There is hardly a more heart-thrilling pleasure enjoyed by mortals, than that which parents feel when seeing their child first being able to 'catch knowledge of objects.

The temple of our purest thoughts is silence.

Rugged strength and radiant beauty-- These were one in Nature's plan; Humble toil and heavenward duty-- These will form the perfect man.

O, beautiful rainbow; — all woven of light! There's not in thy tissue, one shadow of night; Heaven surely is open when thou dost appear, And, bending above thee, the angels draw near, And sing, — "The rainbow! the rainbow! The smile of God is here."

Mary had a little lamb,Its fleece was white as snow,And everywhere that Mary went,The lamb was sure to go.

The temple of our purest thoughts is silence.

Nor need we power or splendor, wide hall or lordly dome; The good, the true, the tender - these form the wealth of home.

There is no influence so powerful as that of the mother, but next in rank in efficacy is that of the schoolmaster.