All quotes

It is not possible that what is by nature free can be disturbed by anything else, or hindered by any other thing than by itself.

But I have found out that though the ways in which I can make myself useful are few, yet the work open to me is endless.

But I did not dream that that interview would be the door through which I should pass from darkness into light, from isolation to friendship, companionship, knowledge, love.

I slip back many times, I fall, I stand still, I run against the edge of hidden obstacles, I lose my temper and find it again and keep it better, I trudge on, I gain a little, I feel encouraged, I get more eager and climb higher and begin to see the widening horizon.

Those who are not prepared for the apprehension of a great purpose should fix the thoughts upon the faultless performance of their duty, no matter how insignificant their task may appear.

I will try, Mother, I truly will. But you must help me, remind me, and keep me from flying out.

It’s highly virtuous to say we’ll be good, but we can’t do it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together before some of us even get our feet set in the right way.

Write something for us, and never mind the rest of the world. Try it, dear. I’m sure it would do you good, and please us very much.

All sorts of mornings are interesting, don’t you think? You don’t know what’s going to happen through the day, and there’s so much scope for imagination.

I make so many mistakes. But then just think of all the mistakes I don’t make, although I might.

But have you ever noticed one encouraging thing about me, Marilla? I never make the same mistake twice.

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

Anne’s horizons had closed in since the night she had sat there after coming home from Queen’s; but if the path set before her feet was to be narrow she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it.

It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes--what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows--what new landscapes--what new beauties--what curves and hills and valleys further on.

Wherever the mind is perplexed, it is in an entire disorder, and domestic employments are not less troublesome for being less important.

But what, to our eyes, may seem hopeless failure is often but the dawning of a greater success.

Failure is often the rock-bottom foundation of real success.

Failure is often the turning-point, the pivot of circumstance that swings us to higher levels.

High ideals, noble efforts will make seeming failures but trifles, they need not dishearten us; they should prove sources of new strength.

Life is a successive unfolding of success from failure.

Life is not really what comes to us, but what we get from it.

Many of our failures sweep us to greater heights of success, than we ever hoped for in our wildest dreams.

But the true competition is the competition of the individual with himself,--his present seeking to excel his past.

If we seek ever to surpass ourselves, we are moving on a uniform line of progress, that gives a harmonious unifying to our growth in all its parts.

Life is but a succession of opportunities. They are for good or evil,--as we make them.