George Eliot

He was at a starting point which makes many a man’s career a fine subject for betting, if there were any gentlemen given to that amusement who could appreciate the complicated probabilities of an arduous purpose, with all the possible thwartings and furtherings of circumstance, all the niceties of inward balance, by which a man swings and makes his point or else is carried headlong.

Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.

I’m proof against that word failure. I’ve seen behind it. The only failure a man ought to fear is failure of cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best.

One way of getting an idea of our fellow-countrymen’s miseries is to go and look at their pleasures.

Perhaps his might be one of the natures where a wise estimate of consequences is fused in the fires of that passionate belief which determines the consequences it believes in.

People who can’t be witty exert themselves to be devout and affectionate.

Justice is my being allowed to do whatever I like. Injustice is whatever prevents my doing so.

Nothing makes a man so selfish as work.

The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well? You may say the wisest thing you can, old man, you who have lived seventy years, not without honor of a kind, I hear an irresistible voice which invites me away from all that.

It is better to be frightened now than killed hereafter

No God and no religion can survive ridicule. No political church, no nobility, no royalty or other fraud, can face ridicule in a fair field, and live.

The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.

Man is the only animal that laughs and has a state legislature.

It is a happy talent to know how to play.

Every being is in search of truth, but small fears go on preventing you.

I don’t think the human mind can comprehend the past and the future. They are both just illusions that can manipulate you into thinking theres some kind of change.

Looking? Found someone you have, eh?

If you want the time to pass quickly, just give your note for 90 days.

The money men make lives after them.

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.

It is not where you start but how high you aim that matters for success.