Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach Quotes:

Grace is the outcome of inward harmony.

Topics: Grace, Outcomes, Inward

There are very few honest friends--the demand is not particularly great.

Topics: Friendship, Demand, Honest, Honest Friends

We are valued wither too highly or not high enough; we are never taken at our real worth.

Topics: Real, Taken, Enough

Generosity, to be perfect, should always be accompanied by a dash of humor.

Topics: Perfect, Generosity, Should

The incurable ills are the imaginary ills.

Topics: Imaginary

Conquer, but don't triumph.

Topics: Success, Triumph, Conquer

Privilege is the greatest enemy of right.

Topics: Enemy, Privilege

Fools usually know best that which the wise despair of ever comprehending.

Topics: Wise, Wisdom, Understanding

Where would the power of women be, were it not for the vanity of men?

Topics: Men, Vanity

Blessed is trust, for it blesses both those who have it to give and those who receive it.

Topics: Blessed, Giving, Bless

Happy slaves are the bitterest enemies of freedom

source: - "Aphorisms". Book by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1880-1893.

Topics: Enemy, Slave

As far as your self-control goes, as far goes your freedom.

Topics: Self, Self Control

When art find no temple open, it takes refuge in the workshop.

Topics: Art, Temples, Workshops

Calmness is the graceful form of Confidence.

Topics: Form, Calmness

Those whom we support hold us up in life.

Topics: Support

Nothing is less promising than precocity. A young thistle is more like a future tree than is a young oak.

Topics: Tree, Young, Thistles, Oaks

There are women who love their husbands as blindly, as enthusiastically, and as enigmatically as nuns their cloister.

Topics: Love, Husband, Nun

To be content with little is difficult; to be content with much, impossible.

Topics: Balance, Littles, Impossible

An opinion may be controverted; a prejudice, never.

Topics: May, Prejudice, Opinion

Be the first to say something obvious and achieve immortality.

Topics: Firsts, Immortality, Achieve

One has to do good in order for it to exist in the world.

Topics: Order, World

Nowadays people are born to find fault. When they look at Achilles, they see only his heel.

Topics: People, Looks, Faults

Many think they have a kind heart who have only weak nerves.

Topics: Heart, Thinking, Nerves, Kind Heart

There is only one proof of ability - action.

Topics: Action, Proof, Ability

There is something so beautiful in trust that even the most hardened liar need feel a certain respect for those who confide in him.

Topics: Trust, Beautiful, Liars, Hardened

Since the well-known victory over the hare by the tortoise, the descendants of the tortoise think themselves miracles of speed.

Topics: Time, Thinking, Vanity

Pain is the great teacher of mankind. Beneath its breath souls develop.

Topics: Teacher, Pain, Soul

He who says patience, says courage, endurance, strength.

Topics: Patience, Endurance

A defeat borne with pride is also a victory.

Topics: Pride, Victory, Defeat

Do not consider yourself deprived because your dreams were not fulfilled; the truly deprived have never dreamed.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Dream, Fulfilled

However much you paid for a beautiful illusion, you got a bargain.

Topics: Beautiful, Illusion

Nothing is so irretrievably missed as an opportunity we encounter every day.

Topics: Opportunity, Encounters

We can be wise from goodness and good from wisdom.

Topics: Wise, Wisdom, Goodness

That bad manners are so prevalent in the world is the fault of good manners.

Topics: Disrespect, Good Man, World, Bad Manners

Age either transfigures or petrifies.

Topics: Age

Kindness which is not inexhaustible does not deserve the name.

Topics: Kindness, Names, Doe

We usually learn to wait only when we have no longer anything to wait for.

Topics: Patience, Waiting

Genius points the way, talent takes it.

Topics: Way, Genius, Talent

When the time comes in which one could, the time has passed in which one can.

Topics: Inspirational, Life Opportunity

Not what we experience, but how we perceive what we experience, determines our fate.

Topics: Fate, Determine, Perceive

To have and not to give is often worse than to steal.

Topics: Giving, Stealing

You stay young as long as you can learn, acquire new habits, and suffer contradictions.

Topics: Long, Suffering, Youth, New Habits

An intelligent woman has millions of born enemies... all the stupid men.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Stupid, Intelligent, Men, Intelligent Women, Stupid Men

We should always forgive. We should forgive the repentant for their sake, the unrepentant for our sake.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Forgiving, Sake, Should

Have patience with the quarrelsomeness of the stupid. It is not easy to comprehend that one does not comprehend.

Topics: Stupid, Doe, Easy

In youth we learn; in age we understand.

source: - "Aphorisms". Book by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1893.

Topics: Life, Happy Birthday, Wisdom

Nothing makes us more cowardly and unconscionable than the desire to be loved by everyone.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Desire, Cowardly

If there is a believe that is capable to move mountains it is the believe in our own strength.

Topics: Believe, Moving, Mountain

When curiosity turns to serious matters, it's called research.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Curiosity, Research, Matter

Little evil would be done in the world if evil never could be done in the name of good.

Topics: Names, Evil, Community

Those who cannot remember clearly their own childhood are poor educators.

Topics: Childhood, Remember, Poor

He who has trusted where he ought not will surely mistrust where he ought not.

Topics: Trust, Ethics, Ought

The poor man wishes to conceal his poverty, and the rich man his wealth: the former fears lest he be despised, the latter lest he be plundered.

Topics: Men, Wish, Poverty, Plunder, Despised

Whoever prefers the material comforts of life over intellectual wealth is like the owner of a palace who moves into the servants’ quarters and leaves the sumptuous rooms empty.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Moving, Intellectual, Comfort, Sumptuous

How wise must one be to be always kind.

Topics: Wise, Kindness, Kind

Many think that when they have confessed a fault there is no need of correcting it.

Topics: Thinking, Needs, Faults

Deep learning doesn't shine.

Topics: Shining, Deep Learning

To be satisfied with little is hard, to be satisfied with a lot is impossible.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Littles, Impossible, Satisfied

Those who know nothing must believe everything.

source: - "Aphorisms". Book by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1893.

Topics: Believe, Knowledge, Knows

Consider once before you give, twice before you receive, and a thousand times before you ask.

Topics: Giving, Favors, Thousand

They understand but a little who understand only what can be explained.

Topics: Understanding, Littles

Even a stopped clock is right twice every day. After some years, it can boast of a long series of successes.

Topics: Inspirational, Funny, Years, Funny Good Morning, Stopped Clock

One thought cannot awake without awakening others.

source: - "Aphorisms". Book by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1880-1893.

Topics: Awakening, Awake

Between being able to and actually doing something lies an ocean, and on its bottom rests all too often the wreck of willpower.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Lying, Ocean, Wrecks, Actually Doing Something

Beware of the virtue which a man boasts is his.

Topics: Men, Virtue, Boast

Runners are poor walkers.

Topics: Personality, Poor, Runners

If you have one good idea, people will lend you twenty.

Topics: Ideas, People, Twenties

Never expect women to be sincere, so long as they are educated to think that their first aim in life is to please.

Topics: Women, Thinking, Long, Never Expect

Nothing is so often and so irrevocably missed as the opportunity which crops up daily.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Opportunity, Crops

Only the thinking man lives his life, the thoughtless man's life passes him by.

Topics: Learning, Men, Thinking

Passion is always suffering, even when gratified.

Topics: Passion, Suffering

Distrust your judgment the moment you can discern the shadow of a personal motive in it.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Shadow, Judgment, Moments

What you wish to do you are apt to think you ought to do.

Topics: Thinking, Wish, Wishful Thinking

The little bit of truth contained in many a lie is what makes them so terrible.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Lying, Littles, Terrible

"People's minds are trained largely at the expense of their hearts." This is not so; it is only that there are more educable minds than there are educable hearts.

Topics: Heart, People, Mind

None are so inconsiderate as those who demand nothing of life other than their own personal comfort.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Comfort, Demand, Inconsiderate

Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.

source: - "Aphorisms". Book by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1905.

Topics: Fear, Dodge, Arguing

The simplest and most familiar truth seems new and wonderful the instant we ourselves experience it for the first time.

Topics: Truth, Experience, Firsts

Do not fear the ones who argue, but rather those who are evasive.

Topics: Arguing, Do Not Fear

An aphorism is the last link in a long chain of thought.

source: - "Aphorisms". Book by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1880-1893.

Topics: Long, Links, Lasts

Origins are of the greatest importance. We are almost reconciled to having a cold when we remember where we caught it.

Topics: Answers, Cold, Remember

It's bad enough when married people bore one another, but it's much worse when only one of them bores the other.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: People, Married, Enough

Believe flatterers and you're lost; believe your enemies and you despair.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Believe, Enemy, Despair, Flatterer

Parents forgive their children least readily for the faults they themselves instilled in them.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Children, Parenting, Inspire

One remains young as long as one can still learn, can still take on new habits, can bear contradictions.

Topics: Long, Bears, Habit, New Habits

What delights us in visible beauty is the invisible.

Topics: Beauty, Science, Delight

I regret nothing, says arrogance; I will regret nothing, says inexperience.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Regret, Arrogance, Inexperience, Regret Nothing

No one is so eager to gain new experiences as he who doesn't know how to make use of the old ones.

Topics: New Experiences, Use, Gains

The wise man is seldom prudent.

Topics: Wise, Wisdom, Men

In meeting again after a separation, acquaintances ask after our outward life, friends after our inner life.

Topics: Friendship, Separation, Acquaintance, Inner Life, Meeting Again

He who believes in freedom of the will has never loved and never hated.

Topics: Hate, Believe, Hated

Only those few people who practice it believe in goodness.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Believe, Practice, People

One of the main goals of self-education is to eradicate that vanity in us without which we would never have been educated.

source: - "Aphorisms". Book by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1880-1893.

Topics: Vanity, Self, Goal

Without imagination, there is no goodness, no wisdom.

Topics: Imagination, Goodness

We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don't care for.

Topics: Life, Women, Conceited

The greatest enemy of justice is privilege.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Justice, Enemy, Privilege

The understanding of some men is clear, that of others brilliant. The former illumines its surroundings; the latter obscures them.

Topics: Men, Understanding, Brilliant

Who doesn't know anything, has to believe everything.

Topics: Believe, Knows

You can sink so fast that you think you are flying.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Thinking, Flying

Wit is an intermittent fountain; kindness is a perennial spring.

Topics: Kindness, Spring, Fountain, Intermittent

Pity is love in undress.

Topics: Love, Pity

n every exalted joy, there mingles a sense of gratitude.

Topics: Gratitude, Joy, Exalted

One can acquire some virtues by feigning them for a long time.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Long, Virtue, Imitation, Feigning

We are not always even what we are most.

Morals refine manners, as manners refine morals.

Topics: Morality, Moral, Manners

A book cannot easily be too bad for the general public, but may easily be too good.

Topics: Book, May, Good Book, General Public

To be young is delightful; to be old is comfortable.

Topics: Youth, Young, Delightful, Be Young

We ask the poet: 'What subject have you chosen?' instead of: 'What subject has chosen you?

Topics: Poet, Chosen, Subjects

Most imitators attempt the inimitable.

Topics: Imitation, Imitator

The moral code which was good enough for our fathers is not good enough for our children.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Children, Father, Not Good Enough

All that is due to us will be paid, although not perhaps by those to whom we have lent.

Topics: Debt, Dues, Paid

Authors from whom others steal should not complain, but rejoice. Where there is no game there are no poachers.

Topics: Games, Complaining, Poachers

The insignificant labor, the great create.

source: - "Aphorisms". Book by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1880-1893.

Topics: Work, Labor, Insignificant

Many a truth is the result of an error.

Topics: Truth, Errors, Truth Is

To accept reason is impossible if you don't already possess it.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Impossible, Reason, Accepting

Nobody knows enough, but many know too much.

Topics: Knowledge, Too Much, Enough

Oh happy pessimists! What a joy it is to them to be able to prove again and again that there is no joy.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Joy, Able, Pessimist

Old age transfigures or fossilizes.

Topics: Age, Aging, Old Age

Many priceless things can be bought.

Topics: Priceless

So soon as a fashion is universal, it is out of date.

Topics: Fashion, Style, Universal, Fashion And Art, Fashion Design

Hatred is a prolific vice; envy, a barren vice.

Topics: Hate, Envy, Hatred

There are more truths in a good book than its author meant to put in it.

Topics: Book, Good Book

The world belongs to those who possess it, and is scorned by those to whom it should belong.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: World, Should, Scorned

Whenever two good people argue over principles, they are both right.

Topics: Communication, Two, People, Conflict Resolution

Imaginary evils are incurable.

Topics: Evil, Imaginary

People more easily tolerate opposition than a contradiction

Topics: Clever, People, Contradiction

Accident is veiled necessity.

Topics: Accidents

In this world, all power rests upon force.

Topics: Power, World, This World

We don't believe in rheumatism and true love until after the first attack.

Topics: Love, Cute, Valentines Day, St Valentine, Don't Believe In Love

There are times when to be reasonable is to be cowardly.

Topics: Reason, Reasonable, Cowardly

It is unfortunate that superior talent and superior men are so seldom united.

Topics: Men, Talent, United

With our parents we bury our past, with our children our future.

Topics: Children, Past, Parent

Misanthropy is a suit of armor lined with thorns.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Suits Of Armor, Thorns, Misanthropy

A man with lofty ideas is an uncomfortable neighbor.

Topics: Men, Ideas, Neighbor

Consider well before you immerse yourself in solitude whether your own company will be good for you.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Solitude, Be Good, Wells

Indifference of every kind is reprehensible, even indifference towards one's self.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Self, Kind, Indifference

If there be a faith that can move mountains, it is faith in one's own power.

Topics: Faith, Self Esteem, Moving, Move Mountains

The poor never estimate as a virtue the generosity of the rich.

Topics: Generosity, Rich, Virtue

The sympathy of most people consists of a mixture of good-humour, curiosity, and self-importance.

Topics: Sympathy, Self, People, Good Humour

Enthusiasm does not always speak for those who arouse it, but always for those who experience it.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Doe, Enthusiasm, Speak

Not every great man is a grand human being.

Topics: Men, Great Men, Humans

Exceptions are not always the proof of the old rule; they can also be the harbinger of a new one.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Harbinger, Proof, Exception

New happiness too must be learned to bear.

Topics: Happiness, Bears

Never strive, O artist, to create what you are not irresistibly impelled to create!

Topics: Passion, Creativity, Artist

Our greatest indulgence towards a man springs from our despair of him.

Topics: Spring, Men, Despair

Not reading a beautiful book again because you've already read it, that is, as if you were not visiting a dear friend again because you know him already.

Topics: Beautiful, Book, Reading, Friends Again, Beautiful Books

The mediocre always feel as if they're fighting for their lives when confronted by the excellent.

source: - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1994). “Aphorisms”, Ariadne Press (CA)

Topics: Fighting, Excellence, Excellent

Even virtue is an art; and even its devotees are divided into those who practise it and those who are merely amateurs.

Topics: Art, Morality, Virtue, Devotee

Unattainable wishes are often "pious." This seems to indicate that only profane wishes are fulfilled.

Topics: Wish, Unattainable, Fulfilled

How happy are the pessimists! What joy is theirs when they have proved there is no joy.

Topics: Joy, Pessimism, Pessimist

When two good men contend about principles, both are always right.

Topics: Men, Two, Good Man

The believer who has never doubted will hardly convert a doubter.

Topics: Doubt, Belief, Believer

Conquer but never triumph.

Topics: Success, Self Confidence, Triumph

The manuscript in the drawer either rots or ripens.

Topics: Drawers, Manuscripts