Imagination is to love what gas is to the balloon-that which raises it from earth. Letitia Elizabeth Landon More Quotes by Letitia Elizabeth Landon More Quotes From Letitia Elizabeth Landon There is no wretchedness like self-reproach. Letitia Elizabeth Landon wretchedness reproach self It is strange what society will endure from its idols. Letitia Elizabeth Landon strange idols fame My heart is its own grave! Letitia Elizabeth Landon graves my-heart heart Are we not like the actor of old times, who wore his mask so long his face took its likeness? Letitia Elizabeth Landon actors faces long It is said that ridicule is the test of truth; but it is never applied except when we wish to deceive ourselves - when if we cannot exclude the light, we would fain draw the curtain before it. The sneer springs out of the wish to deny; and wretched must that state of mind be, that wishes to take refuge in doubt. Letitia Elizabeth Landon light doubt spring Oh, no! my heart can never be Letitia Elizabeth Landon ashes flames heart How very satisfactory those discussions must be, where each party retains their own opinion! Letitia Elizabeth Landon discussion opinion party Occupation is one great source of enjoyment. No man, properly occupied, was ever miserable. Letitia Elizabeth Landon occupation miserable men Nothing is so fortunate for mankind as its diversity of opinion. Letitia Elizabeth Landon diversity mankind opinion Nothing more strongly marks the insufficiency of luxuries than the ease with which people grow accustomed to them; they are rather known by their want than by their presence. The word 'blasé' has been coined expressly for the use of the upper classes. Letitia Elizabeth Landon luxury class people It is said that ridicule is the test of truth: it is never applied, but when we wish to deceive ourselves. Letitia Elizabeth Landon deceiving tests wish The past is perpetual youth to the heart. Letitia Elizabeth Landon youth heart past words alike make the destiny of empires and of individuals. Ambition, love, hate, interest, vanity, have words for their engines, and need none more powerful. Language is a fifth element - the one by which all the others are swayed. Letitia Elizabeth Landon powerful hate ambition Restraint is the golden rule of enjoyment. Letitia Elizabeth Landon enjoyment moderation golden Politeness, however, acts the lady's maid to our thoughts; and they are washed, dressed, curled, rouged, and perfumed, before they are presented to the public. Letitia Elizabeth Landon politeness maids manners the blessings of matrimony, like those of poverty, belong rather to philosophy than reality. Letitia Elizabeth Landon blessing philosophy reality Our first love-letter ... There is so much to be said, and which no words seems exactly to say - the dread of saying too much is so nicely balanced by the fear of saying too little. Hope borders on presumption, and fear on reproach. Letitia Elizabeth Landon first-love letters littles I have no parting sigh to give, so take my parting smile. Letitia Elizabeth Landon sigh parting giving I do not think that life has a suspense more sickening than that of expecting a letter which does not come. Letitia Elizabeth Landon suspense doe thinking If there be any one habit which more than another is the dry rot of all that is high and generous in youth, it is the habit of ridicule. Letitia Elizabeth Landon dry youth habit