Best quotes from Agnes Grey

It is foolish to wish 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.

The ties that bind us to life are tougher than you imagine, or than any one can who has not felt how roughly they may be pulled without breaking.

One bright day in the last week of February, I was walking in the park, enjoying the threefold luxury of solitude, a book, and pleasant weather.

I always lacked common sense when taken by surprise.

What a fool you must be," said my head to my heart, or my sterner to my softer self.

What business had I to think of one that never thought of me?

Reading is my favourite occupation, when I have leisure for it and books to read.

I began this book with the intention of concealing nothing, that those who liked might have the benefit of perusing a fellow creature’s heart: but we have some thoughts that all the angels in heaven are welcome to behold — but not our brother-men — not even the best and kindest amongst them.

The end of Religion is not to teach us how to die, but how to live...

"Oh, Richard!" exclaimed she, on one occasion, "if you would but dismiss such gloomy subjects from your mind, you would live as long as any of us; at least you would live to see the girls married, and yourself a happy grandfather, with a canty old dame for your companion."

No, thank you, I don't mind the rain,' I said. I always lacked common sense when taken by surprise.