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Jane Porter

45 quotes

“A cheerful temper spreads like the dawn, and all vapors disperse before it. Even the tear dries on the cheek, and the sigh sinks away half-breathed when the eye of benignity beams upon the unhappy.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A sincere acquaintance with ourselves teaches us humility; and from humility springs that benevolence which compassionates the transgressors we condemn, and prevents the punishments we inflict from themselves partaking of crime, in being rather the wreakings of revenge than the chastisements of virtue.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Any base heart can devise means of vileness, and affix the ugly shapings of its own fancy to the actions of those around him; but it requires loftiness of mind, and the heaven-born spirit of virtue, to imagine greatness where it is not, and to deck the sordid objects of nature in the beautiful robes of loveliness and light.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Beauty of form affects the mind, but then it must be understood that it is not the mere shell that we admire; we are attracted by the idea that this shell is only a beautiful case adjusted to the shape and value of a still more beautiful pearl within. The perfection of outward loveliness is the soul shining through its crystalline covering.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But the most annoying of all public reformers is the personal satirist. Though he may be considered by some few as a useful member of society, yet he is only ranked with the hangman, whom we tolerate because he executes the judgment we abhor to do ourselves, and avoid with a natural detestation of his office. The pen of the one and the cord of the other are inseparable in our minds.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Compulsion hardly restores right; love yields all things.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Dr. Johnson has said that the chief glory of a country arises from its authors. But then that is only as they are oracles of wisdom; unless they teach virtue, they are more worthy of a halter than of the laurel.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Guilt is a spiritual Rubicon.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Happiness is not perfected till it is shared.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He that easily believes rumours has the principle within him to augment rumors. It is strange to see the ravenous appetite with which some devourers of character and happiness fix upon the sides of the innocent and unfortunate.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How different is...the ready hand, tearful eye, and soothing voice, from the ostentatious appearance which is called pity!”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I never yet heard man or woman much abused, that I was not inclined to think the better of them; and to transfer any suspicion or dislike to the person who appeared to take delight in pointing out the defects of a fellow-creature.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If cowardice were not so completely a coward as to be unable to look steadily upon the effects of courage, he would find that there is no refuge so sure as dauntless valor.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Imparting knowledge, is only lighting other men’s candle at our lamp, without depriving ourselves of any flame.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the career of female fame, there are few prizes to be obtained which can vie with the obscure state of a beloved wife or a happy mother.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It depends on education (that holder of the keys which the Almighty hath put into our hands) to open the gates which lead to virtue or to vice, to happiness or misery.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It has been wisely said, "that well may thy guardian angel suffer thee to lose thy locks, when thou darest wilfully to lay thy head in the lap of temptation!" Was it not easier for the hero of Judæa to avoid the touch of the fair Philistine, than to elude her power when held in her arms?”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lachrymal counsellors, with one foot in the cave of despair, and the other invading the peace of their friends, are the paralyzers of action, the pests of society, and the subtlest homicides in the world; they poison with a tear; and convey a dagger to the heart while they press you to their bosoms.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Life is a warfare; and he who easily desponds deserts a double duty—he betrays the noblest property of man, which is dauntless resolution; and he rejects the providence of that All-Gracious Being who guides and rules the universe.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Magnanimity is above circumstance; and any virtue which depends on that is more of constitution than of principle.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“National antipathy is the basest, because the most illiberal and illiterate of all prejudices.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nobility, without virtue, is a fine setting without a gem.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People do not always understand the motives of sublime conduct, and when they are astonished they are very apt to think they ought to be alarmed. The truth is none are fit judges of greatness but those who are capable of it.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Self-love leads men of narrow minds to measure all mankind by their own capacity.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That grief is the most durable which flows inward, and buries its streams with its fountain, in the depths of the heart.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The bliss of the drunkard is a visible picture of the expectation of the dying atheist, who hopes no more than to lie down in the grave with the "beasts that perish.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The doubts of love are never to be wholly overcome; they grow with its various anxieties, timidities, and tenderness, and are the very fruits of the reverence in which the admired object is beheld.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The flatterer easily insinuates himself into the closet, while honest merit stands shivering in the hall or antechamber.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The fruition of what is unlawful must be followed by remorse. The core sticks in the throat after the apple is eaten, and the sated appetite loathes the interdicted pleasure for which innocence was bartered.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The mob is a sort of bear; while your ring is through its nose, it will even dance under your cudgel; but should the ring slip, and you lose your hold, the brute will turn and rend you.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The only impregnable citadel of virtue is religion; for there is no bulwark of mere morality, which some temptation may not overtop or undermine, and destroy.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The perfection of outward loveliness is the soul shining through its crystalline covering.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The platform or the altar of love may be analyzed and explained; it is constructed of virtue, beauty, and affection. Such is the pyre, such is the offering; but the ethereal spark must come from heaven, that lights the sacrifice.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The pure in heart are slow to credit calumnies, because they hardly comprehend what motives can be inducements to the alleged crimes.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The virtues, like the muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is nothing so clear-sighted and sensible as a noble mind in a low estate.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“These hearts which suck up friendship like water, and yield it again with the first touch, might as well expect to squeeze a sponge and find it hold its moisture, as to retain affections which they are forever dashing from them.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“True virtue, when she errs, needs not the eyes of men to excite her blushes; she is confounded at her own presence, and covered with confusion of face.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Virtue is despotic; life, reputation, every earthly good, must be surrendered at her voice. The law may seem hard, but it is the guardian of what it commands; and is the only sure defence of happiness.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Virtue, without the graces, is like a rich diamond unpolished—it hardly looks better than a common pebble; but when the hand of the master rubs off the roughness, and forms the sides into a thousand brilliant surfaces, it is then that we acknowledge its worth, admire its beauty, and long to wear it in our bosoms.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We all know that a lie needs no other grounds than the invention of the liar; and to take for granted as truth all that is alleged against the fame of others is a species of credulity that men would blush at on any other subject.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We value the devotedness of friendship rather as an oblation to vanity than as a free interchange of hearts; an endearing contract of sympathy, mutual forbearance, and respect!”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When Alexander had subdued the world, and wept that none were left to dispute his arms, his tears were an involuntary tribute to a monarchy that he knew not, man's empire over himself.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When the cup of any sensual pleasure is drained to the bottom, there is always poison in the dregs. Anacreon himself declares that "the flowers swim at the top of the bowl!”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Where there is any good disposition, confidence begets faithfulness; but distrust, if it do not produce treachery, never fails to destroy every inclination to evince fidelity. Most people disdain to clear themselves from the accusations of mere suspicion.”
Jane Porter (1776–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source