Laughing is not the first expression of joy. ... A person laughs in idleness, for fun, not for joy. Joy has nothing, nothing but the old way of tears. Margaret Oliphant More Quotes by Margaret Oliphant More Quotes From Margaret Oliphant It is so seldom in this world that things come just when they are wanted. Margaret Oliphant timing this-world world Temptations come, as a general rule, when they are sought. Margaret Oliphant self-help temptation inspirational One only says it is one's duty when one has something disagreeable to do. Margaret Oliphant disagreeable duty there are some people who never learn; indeed, few people learn by experience, so far as I have ever seen. Margaret Oliphant experience people To have a man who can flirt is next thing to indispensable to a leader of society. Margaret Oliphant flirty flirting men Oh, never mind the fashion. When one has a style of one's own, it is always twenty times better. Margaret Oliphant being-yourself style fashion I think reading a novel is almost next best to having something to do. Margaret Oliphant next reading thinking The middle of life is the testing-ground of character and strength. Margaret Oliphant middle life-is character It is often easier to justify one's self to others than to respond to the secret doubts that arise in one's own bosom. Margaret Oliphant self secret doubt Good works may only be beautiful sins, if they are not done in a true spirit. Margaret Oliphant done kindness beautiful ... up to this date, I have never been shut up in a separate room, or hedged off with any observances. My study, all the study I have attained to, is the little 2nd drawing room where all the (feminine) life of the house goes on; and I don't think I have ever had two hours undisturbed (except at night, when everybody is in bed) during my whole literary life. Margaret Oliphant night two thinking The ideal is the flower-garden of the mind, and very apt to run to weeds unless carefully tended. Margaret Oliphant weed flower running I have my own way of dividing people, as I suppose most of us have. There are those whom I can talk to, and those whom I can't. Margaret Oliphant dividing people way All perfection is melancholy. Margaret Oliphant melancholy perfection Imagination is the first faculty wanting in those that do harm to their kind. Margaret Oliphant compassion imagination firsts There's looks as speaks as strong as words. Margaret Oliphant strong speak looks Somehow even a popular fallacy has an aspect of truth when it suits one's own case. Margaret Oliphant suits cases truth There is nothing so costly as bargains. Margaret Oliphant shopping bargains Many love me, but by none am I enough beloved. Margaret Oliphant beloved enough Spring cold is like the poverty of a poor man who has had a fortune left him - better days are coming. Margaret Oliphant poverty spring men
