Quotes from George Eliot

On the other hand, she was disproportionately indulgent towards the failings of men, and was often heard to say that these were natural.

"Adam... My soul is so knit to yours that it is but a divided life I live without you. And this moment, now you are with me, and I feel that our hearts are filled with the same love..." What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life — to strengthen each other in all labour, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?

A woman's hopes are hopes are woven of sunbeams; a shadow annihilates them.

No story is the same to us after a lapse of time; or rather we who read it are no longer the same interpreters.

It is a vain thought to flee from the work that God appoints us, for the sake of finding a greater blessing, instead of seeking it where alone it is to be found - in loving obedience.

A good solid bit of work lasts.

Ingenious philosophers tell you, perhaps, that the great work of the steam-engine is to create leisure for mankind. Do not believe them; it only creates a vacuum for eager thought to rush in.

Our sense of duty must often wait for some work which shall take the place of dilettanteism [sic] and make us feel that the quality of our action is not a matter of indifference.

And when a woman's will is as strong as the man's who wants to govern her, half her strength must be concealment.

Breed is stronger than pasture.

Her anger said, as anger is apt to say, that God was with her— that all heaven, though it were crowded with spirits watching them, must be on her side.

What is your religion? I mean-not what you know about religion but the belief that helps you most?