Quotes About Reflection

The trouble with you, Anne, is that you're thinking too much about yourself. You should just think of Mrs. Allan and what would be nicest and most agreeable to her, said Marilla, hitting for once in her life on a very sound and pithy piece of advice. Anne instantly realized this.

I don't know whether it is any use forgiving people or not. Yes, it is, it makes you feel more comfortable yourself.

I'm afraid you'll find out all too soon that life's a melancholy business.

Death grows friendlier as we grow older.

She isn't like any of the girls I ever knew, or any of the girls I was myself. How many girls were you, Aunt Jimsie? About half a dozen, my dear.

I don't believe Old Nick can be so very ugly,' said Aunt Jamesina reflectively. 'He wouldn't do so much harm if he was. I always think of him as a rather handsome gentleman.

I feel sorry now myself," admitted Davy, "but the trouble is I never feel sorry for doing things till after I've did them.

Nothing seems worthwhile. My very thoughts are old. I've thought them all before. What is the use of living after all, Anne?

Away down at the far end of the lake they got every night a glimpse of a big, continental train rushing through a clearing. Valancy liked to watch its lighted windows flash by and wonder who was on it and what hopes and fears it carried.

No. I don't think I've ever been really lonely in my life," answered Anne. "Even when I'm alone I have real good company — dreams and imaginations and pretendings. I LIKE to be alone now and then, just to think over things and TASTE them.

How difficult it is to realize that one we have always known can really be dead, said Anne

I can't understand how she could have wanted to live back here, away from everything, said Jane. Oh, I can easily understand that, said Anne thoughtfully. I wouldn't want it myself for a steady thing because, although I love the fields and woods, I love people too...

Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?

I don't want to talk as much,' she said, denting her chin thoughtfully with her forefinger. 'It's nicer to think dear, pretty thoughts and keep them in one's heart, like treasures.

Many people have told me that they regretted Matthew's death in Green Gables. I regret it myself. If I had the book to write over again I would spare Matthew for several years. But when I wrote it I thought he must die, that there might be a necessity for self-sacrifice on Anne's part, so poor Matthew joined the long procession of ghosts that haunt my literary past.

Time is kinder than we think,' thought Anne. 'It's a dreadful mistake to cherish bitterness for years...hugging it to our hearts like a treasure.

Even when I'm alone, I have real good company - dreams and imaginations and pretendings.

We'll just sit here, said Barney, and if we think of anything worth while saying we'll say it. Otherwise, not. Don't imagine you're bound to talk to me. John Foster says, quoted Valancy, 'If you can sit in silence with a person for half an hour and yet be entirely comfortable, you and that person can be friends. If you cannot, friends you'll never be and you need not waste time in trying.' Evidently John Foster says a sensible thing once in a while, conceded Barney.

I find it is not always easy to be sure whether your deeds are good or bad.

hate's got to be a disease with me.

Fancies are like shadows . . . you can't cage them, they're such wayward, dancing things.

It is not vanity to know your own good points. It would just be stupidity if you didn't

There's something very solemn about the idea of a new year, isn't there? Just think of three hundred and sixty-five whole days with not a thing happened in them yet.

Holmes speaks of grief "staining backward" through the pages of life; but Valancy found her happiness had stained backward likewise and flooded with rose-colour her whole previous drab existence. She found it hard to believe that she had ever been lonely and unhappy and afraid.