It would have been a joy to me to be smiled upon, loved, encouraged, welcomed, and to obtain what I was so ready to give, kindness and goodwill. But to hunt down consideration and reputation - to force the esteem of others - seemed to me an effort unworthy of myself, almost a degradation.

Henri Frederic Amiel

Categorized in : Giving Joy Kindness

Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind.

Henri Frederic Amiel

love relationship life

There is no respect for others without humility in one's self.

Henri Frederic Amiel

respect humility inspirational

Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not.

Henri Frederic Amiel

being-single being-yourself inspiration

It is work which gives flavor to life.

Henri Frederic Amiel

flavor work giving

Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.

Henri Frederic Amiel

empathy anger truth

You desire to know the art of living, my friend? It is contained in one phrase: make use of suffering.

Henri Frederic Amiel

inspirational life art

Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you.

Henri Frederic Amiel

light work inspirational

The beautiful souls of the world have an art of saintly alchemy, by which bitterness is converted into kindness, the gall of human experience into gentleness, ingratitude into benefits, insults into pardon.

Henri Frederic Amiel

kindness beautiful art

He who is silent is forgotten; he who does not advance falls back; he who stops is overwhelmed; out distanced, crushed; he who ceases t grow becomes smaller; he who leaves off, gives up; the condition of standing still is the beginning of the end.

Henri Frederic Amiel

discipline giving-up fall

True love is that which ennobles the personality, fortifies the heart, and sanctifies the existence.

Henri Frederic Amiel

true-love heart inspirational

Religion is not a method, it is a life, a higher and supernatural life, mystical in its root and practical in its fruits; a communion with God, a calm and deep enthusiasm, a love which radiates, a force which acts, a happiness which overflows.

Henri Frederic Amiel

enthusiasm roots religion

The man who has no inner-life is a slave to his surroundings.

Henri Frederic Amiel

positive-thinking attitude men

Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our powers.

Henri Frederic Amiel

ambition responsibility life

Time is but the space between our memories; as soon as we cease to perceive this space, time has disappeared.

Henri Frederic Amiel

perceive space memories

Materialism coarsens and petrifies everything, making everything vulgar, and every truth false.

Henri Frederic Amiel

vulgar materialism truth

Philosophy starts with doubt and loves only truth.

Henri Frederic Amiel

and-love doubt philosophy

It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well.

Henri Frederic Amiel

teaching teacher inspirational

Women wish to be loved without a why or a wherefore; not because they are pretty, or good, or well-bred, or graceful, or intelligent, but because they are themselves.

Henri Frederic Amiel

independent-women intelligent wish

What we do not understand we have no right to judge

Henri Frederic Amiel

judging

Kindness is gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us.

Henri Frederic Amiel

dark kindness heart