I began this book with the intention of concealing nothing, that those who liked might have the benefit of perusing a fellow creature's heart: but we have some thoughts that all the angels in heaven are welcome to behold -- but not our brother-men -- not even the best and kindest amongst them.

Anne Bronte

I would rather have your friendship than the love of any other woman in the world.

Anne Bronte

world

If you would have your son to walk honourably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to go alone.

Anne Bronte

love hands son

But he that dares not grasp the thorn Should never crave the rose.

Anne Bronte

flower courage rose

I love the silent hour of night, for blissful dreams may then arise, revealing to my charmed sight what may not bless my waking eyes.

Anne Bronte

good-night eye dream

A light wind swept over the corn, and all nature laughed in the sunshine.

Anne Bronte

sunshine nature light

I cannot love a man who cannot protect me.

Anne Bronte

protect men

All our talents increase in the using, and every faculty, both good and bad, strengthens by exercise.

Anne Bronte

talent strength exercise

My soul is awakened, my spirit is soaring and carried aloft on the wings of the breeze.

Anne Bronte

soul healing wings

There are great books in this world and great worlds in books.

Anne Bronte

great-book book world

But smiles and tears are so alike with me, they are neither of them confined to any particular feelings: I often cry when I am happy, and smile when I am sad.

Anne Bronte

tears feelings life

Because the road is rough and long, Should we despise the skylark's song?

Anne Bronte

should song long

Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them.

Anne Bronte

reason heart hands

Increase of love brings increase of happiness, when it is mutual, and pure as that will be.

Anne Bronte

mutual increase pure

You need not fear me, for I not only should think it wrong to marry a man that was deficient in sense or in principle, but I should never be tempted to do it; for I could not like him, if he were ever so handsome, and ever so charming, in other respects; I should hate him—despise him—pity him—anything but love him. My affections not only ought to be founded on approbation, but they will and must be so: for, without approving, I cannot love. It is needless to say, I ought to be able to respect and honour the man I marry, as well as love him, for I cannot love him without.

Anne Bronte

hate men thinking

And then, the unspeakable purity - and freshness of the air! There was just enough heat to enhance the value of the breeze, and just enough wind to keep the whole sea in motion, to make the waves come bounding to the shore, foaming and sparkling, as if wild with glee.

Anne Bronte

air sea wind

When I tell you not to marry without love, I do not advise you to marry for love alone: there are many, many other things to be considered. Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them; and if such an occasion should never present itself, comfort your mind with this reflection, that though in single life your joys may not be very many, your sorrows, at least, will not be more than you can bear. Marriage may change your circumstances for the better, but, in my private opinion, it is far more likely to produce a contrary result.

Anne Bronte

reflection heart hands

But, God knows best, I concluded.

Anne Bronte

god-knows god-knows-best knows

Reading is my favourite occupation, when I have leisure for it and books to read.

Anne Bronte

occupation reading book

Keep guard over your eyes and ears as the inlets of your heart, and over your lips as the outlets, lest they betray you in a moment of unwariness.

Anne Bronte

betrayal eye heart

I was sorry for her; I was amazed, disgusted at her heartless vanity; I wondered why so much beauty should be given to those who made so bad a use of it, and denied to some who would make it a benefit to both themselves and others. But, God knows best, I concluded. There are, I suppose, some men as vain, as selfish, and as heartless as she is, and, perhaps, such women may be useful to punish them.

Anne Bronte

selfish sorry men