I've never thought of my characters as being sad. On the contrary, they are full of life. They didn't choose read more

I've never thought of my characters as being sad. On the contrary, they are full of life. They didn't choose tragedy. Tragedy chose them.

Life is a jest; and all things show it.
I thought so once; but now I know it.

Life is a jest; and all things show it.
I thought so once; but now I know it.

What a man is ashamed of is always at bottom himself; and he is ashamed of himself at bottom always read more

What a man is ashamed of is always at bottom himself; and he is ashamed of himself at bottom always for being afraid.

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down read more

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

Unexplained joy is always so keen that... it seems to hold enough to reconcile one to the inevitable.

Unexplained joy is always so keen that... it seems to hold enough to reconcile one to the inevitable.

All pain is either severe or slight, if slight, it is easily endured; if severe, it will without doubt be read more

All pain is either severe or slight, if slight, it is easily endured; if severe, it will without doubt be brief.

Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.

Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.

I have often thought what a melancholy world this would be without children, and what an inhuman world without the read more

I have often thought what a melancholy world this would be without children, and what an inhuman world without the aged

People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.

People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.