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Let us not fail to scatter along our pathway the seeds of kindness and sympathy. Some of them will doubtless perish; but if one only lives, it will perfume our steps and rejoice our eyes.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
Our vanity is the constant enemy of our dignity.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
Love enters the heart unawares: takes precedence of all the emotions--or, at least, will be second to none--and even reflection becomes its accomplice. While it lives, it renders blind; and when it has struck its roots deep only itself can shake them. It reminds one of hospitality as practiced among the ancients. The stranger was received upon the threshold of the half-open door, and introduced into the sanctuary reserved for the Penates. Not until every attention had been lavished upon him did the host ask his name; and the question was sometimes deferred till the very moment of departure.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
The Christian's God is a God of metamorphoses. You cast grief into his bosom: you draw thence, peace. You cast in despair: 'tis hope that rises to the surface. It is a sinner whose heart he moves. It is a saint who returns him thanks.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Thoughts," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
A woman who has never been pretty has never been young.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
Humility is a cuirass which turns aside the blows dealt by the enmity of man; but that cuirass is defective at the heart.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
There are not good things enough in life to indemnify us for the neglect of a single duty.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
The courage with which we have met past dangers is often our best security in the present.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
It has been remarked, with great justice, that morality in individuals is grander, in proportion as they are able to sacrifice the present to the future.
MADAME SWETCHINE, The Writings of Madame Swetchine
One may make a solitude in the depths of his own heart, in the midst of a dissipated and worldly life. He may also, when his isolation becomes oppressive, people that solitude with beings after his own heart, and adapted solely to his purposes.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
My experience is, that Christianity dispels more mystery than it involves. With Christianity, it is twilight in the world; without it, night. Christianity does not finish the statue--that is heaven's work; but it "rough-hews" all things--truth, the mind, the soul.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Thoughts," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
Misfortune is, like the honest man, as good as her word.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
There is nothing at all in life, except what we put there.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
We are always looking into the future, but we see only the past.
MADAME SWETCHINE, "Airelles," The Writings of Madame Swetchine
Faith is best realized in sacrifice.
MADAME SWETCHINE, The Writings of Madame Swetchine
Sacrifice! We must not forget that the Christian altar is a tomb, and that the adorable Victim invites us to immolate ourselves along with him upon the bones of confessors and martyrs. The spirit of sacrifice is meet for all; and, while heroic deeds are demanded of some, there remains for the rest an obscure and perpetual immolation.
MADAME SWETCHINE, The Writings of Madame Swetchine
To combat superstition one must be a believer.
MADAME SWETCHINE, attributed, Day's Collacon
One who is very variable cannot be very sincere; today's truth is tomorrow's falsehood.
MADAME SWETCHINE, The Writings of Madame Swetchine
Respect is a serious thing for him who feels it, and the height of honor for him who inspires the feeling.
MADAME SWETCHINE, attributed, Day's Collacon
People read everything nowadays, except books.
MADAME SWETCHINE, attributed, Day's Collacon
We must labor unceasingly to render our piety reasonable, and our reason pious.
MADAME SWETCHINE, The Writings of Madame Swetchine
God puts consolation only where He has first put pain, and causes His mercies to abound nowhere, save in the furrow traced by penitence and laborious effort.
MADAME SWETCHINE, The Writings of Madame Swetchine
Is not the merit of any creation determined primarily by the close and exact correspondence between the idea and its incarnation?
MADAME SWETCHINE, The Writings of Madame Swetchine
People of a lofty intelligence, who look at things from a human point of view, generally make their philosophy to consist in bravely bearing the reverses brought about by circumstances; and their honor, in keenly resenting the pains which come to them through human agency.
MADAME SWETCHINE, attributed, Day's Collacon
By God's grace the most abject of His creatures may rise to a rank of celestial force.
MADAME SWETCHINE, attributed, Day's Collacon
The ship of youth crowds sail; but if the wind forsakes it, the canvas hangs motionless, awaiting a friendly breath; and too often illusions are summoned to its aid.
MME. SWETCHINE, The Writings of Madame Swetchine
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