“Now the Irish women always look so ashamed. They know they can never make a Jesus. It will be just another Mick.” — Betty Smith Ashamed Copy Share Image
“A terrible panic that had no name came over her as she realized that many of the sweet babies in the world… — Betty Smith Old man Copy Share Image
From that moment on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again. — Betty Smith Lonely Copy Share Image
“Why, Mrs McGarrity's all right. Mr McGarrity's all right, too. Only I guess they aren't all right to each other.” — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
I wrote about people who liked fake fireplaces in their parlor, who thought a brass horse with a clock embedded in its… — Betty Smith Brass Copy Share Image
Let me be something every minute of every hour of my life...And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so… — Betty Smith Dream Copy Share Image
She had had the pain; it had been like being boiled alive in scalding oil and not being able to die to… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
I can never give a 'yes' or a 'no.' I don't believe everything in life can be settled by a monosyllable. — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“I need someone,” thought Francie desperately. “I need someone. I need to hold somebody close. And I need more than this holding.… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
Katie had a fierce desire for survival which made her a fighter. Johnny had a hankering after immortality which made him a… — Betty Smith Desire Copy Share Image
“If he went around looking into people’s windows like you say, He’d see how things were here; He’d see that it was… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Pipe dreams, he thought to himself, even while he was telling her about his dream winnings. But oh, how wonderful, he thought,… — Betty Smith Dream Copy Share Image
Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even to suffer that terrible… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
She told Papa about it. He made her stick out her tongue and he felt her wrist. He shook his head sadly… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
I know that's what people say-- you'll get over it. I'd say it, too. But I know it's not true. Oh, youll… — Betty Smith Fall in love Copy Share Image
This could be a whole life," she thought. "You work eight hours a day covering wires to earn money to buy food… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
Did you ever see so many pee-wee hats, Carl?" "They're beanies." "They call them pee-wees in Brooklyn." "But I'm not in Brooklyn."… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“He was a baby once. He must have been sweet and clean and his mother kissed his little pink toes. Maybe when… — Betty Smith Children Copy Share Image
“Oh, and you must not forget the Kris Kringle. The child must believe in him until she reaches the age of six."… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Growing up spoiled a lot of things. It spoiled the nice game they had when there was nothing to eat in the… — Betty Smith Big things Copy Share Image
“Francie thought that all the books in the world were in that library and she had a plan about reading all the… — Betty Smith Book Copy Share Image
“Filth, filth, filth, from morning to night. I know they're poor but they could wash. Water is free and soap is cheap.… — Betty Smith Better world Copy Share Image
“Each day, as she passed the house whose number she claimed, she looked at it with gratitude and affection. On windy days,… — Betty Smith Love Copy Share Image
“And the child, Francie Nolan, was of all the Rommelys and all the Nolans. She had the violent weaknesses and passion for… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Then I've been drunk, too," admitted Francie. "On beer?" "No. Last spring, in McCarren's Park, I saw a tulip for the first… — Betty Smith Drunk Copy Share Image
Well, there's a little bit of man in every woman and a little bit of woman in every man. — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
But she needs me more than she needs him and I guess being needed is almost as good as being loved. Maybe… — Betty Smith Being loved Copy Share Image
“One day they’re babies in buggies and the next day they’re in here taking picks. Kids grow up quick in this neighborhood.” — Betty Smith Child Copy Share Image
“A small child has little idea of the future. Next week is as far ahead as his future stretches and the year… — Betty Smith Children Copy Share Image
“But she didn't want to recall things. She wanted to live things — or as a compromise, relive rather than reminisce.” — Betty Smith Heart Copy Share Image
“But oh, how wonderful, he thought, if everything you talked about could come true!” — betty smith Copy Share Image
“When you get home, burn these in the stove. Apply the match to them yourself. And as the flames rise, keep saying:… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“He talked about democracy and good citizenship and about a good world where everyone did the best he could for the common… — Betty Smith Common good Copy Share Image
She was surprised at how tiny it seemed now. She supposed the school was just as big as it had ever been… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
People always think that happiness is a faraway thing … something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Gradually then, because he could not share his inner self with her, he lost the power of being a husband to her,… — Betty Smith Inner self Copy Share Image
New York! I've always wanted to see it and now I've see it. It's true what they say-- it's the most wonderful… — Betty Smith Cities Copy Share Image
“Neeley, if you had to die, wouldn't it be wonderful to die now—while you believed that everything was perfect, the way this… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first time or the last time. Then your time on earth… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
All of us are what we have to be and everyone lives the kind of life its in him to live. — Betty Smith Inspirational Copy Share Image
