Sophie Swetchine

Where there is a question of economy, I prefer privation.

— Sophie Swetchine

Since there must be chimeras, why is not perfection the chimera of all men?

— Sophie Swetchine

It is a little stream, which flows softly, but freshens everything along its course.

— Sophie Swetchine

I like people to be saints; but I want them to be first and superlatively honest men.

— Sophie Swetchine

We are amused through the intellect, but it is the heart that saves us from ennui.

— Sophie Swetchine

There is nothing at all in life, except what we put there.

— Sophie Swetchine

He who has ceased to enjoy his friend's superiority has ceased to love him.

— Sophie Swetchine

He who has never denied himself for the sake of giving has but glanced at the joys of charity.

— Sophie Swetchine

Our faults afflict us more than our good deeds console. Pain is ever uppermost in the conscience as in the heart.

— Sophie Swetchine

I study much, and the more I study, the oftener I go back to those first principles which are so simple that…

— Sophie Swetchine

Those who make us happy are always thankful to us for being so; their gratitude is the reward of their benefits.

— Sophie Swetchine

The root of sanctity is sanity. A man must be healthy before he can be holy. We bathe first, and then perfume.

— Sophie Swetchine

There are two ways of attaining an important end, force and perseverance; the silent power of the latter grows irresistible with time.

— Sophie Swetchine

The best of lessons, for a good many people, would be to listen at a keyhole. It is a pity for such…

— Sophie Swetchine

The world has no sympathy with any but positive griefs. It will pity you for what you lose; never for what you…

— Sophie Swetchine

I can understand the things that afflict mankind, but I often marvel at God those which console. An atom may wound, but…

— Sophie Swetchine

Impassioned characters never attain their mark till they have overshot it.

— Sophie Swetchine

The injustice of men subserves the justice of God, and often His mercy.

— Sophie Swetchine

By becoming unhappy, we sometimes learn how to be less so.

— Sophie Swetchine

Liberty must be a mighty thing; for by it God punishes and rewards nations.

— Sophie Swetchine

Let our lives be pure as snowfields, where our steps leave a mark but no stain.

— Sophie Swetchine

Loving souls are like paupers. They live on what is given them.

— Sophie Swetchine

The only true method of action in this world is to be in it, but not of it.

— Sophie Swetchine

The chains which cramp us most are those which weigh on us least.

— Sophie Swetchine

There are not good things enough in life to indemnify us for the neglect of a single duty.

— Sophie Swetchine

A malicious enemy is better than a clumsy friend.

— Sophie Swetchine

We reform others unconsciously when we walk uprightly.

— Sophie Swetchine

Strength alone knows conflict, weakness is born vanquished.

— Sophie Swetchine

In youth we feel richer for every new illusion; in maturer years, for every one we lose.

— Sophie Swetchine

Men do not go out to meet misfortune as we do. They learn it; and we--we divine it.

— Sophie Swetchine

In a healthy state of the organism all wounds have a tendency to heal.

— Sophie Swetchine

There is, by God's grace, an immeasurable distance between late and too late.

— Sophie Swetchine

We must labor unceasingly to render our piety reasonable, and our reason pious.

— Sophie Swetchine

Faith, amid the disorders of a sinful life, is like the lamp burning in an ancient tomb.

— Sophie Swetchine

The very might of the human intellect reveals its limits.

— Sophie Swetchine

There are questions so indiscreet, that they deserve neither truth nor falsehood in reply.

— Sophie Swetchine

Indulgence is lovely in the sinless; toleration, adorable in the pious and believing heart.

— Sophie Swetchine

If grief is to be mitigated, it must either wear itself out or be shared.

— Sophie Swetchine

Consolation heaps without contact; somewhat like the blessed air which we need but to breathe.

— Sophie Swetchine

We are always looking into the future, but we see only the past.

— Sophie Swetchine