It is much more sensible to be an optimist instead of a pessimist, for if one is doomed to disappointment, why experience it in advance? Barbara Mertz More Quotes by Barbara Mertz More Quotes From Barbara Mertz Cats always made up to the people who hated them the most. Depending on how you chose to look at it, it was a touching manifestation of trust, or a malicious pleasure in human discomfort. Barbara Mertz touching cat people Nothing looks as self-satisfied as a contented cat. Barbara Mertz cat self looks Children, I feel, are as much entitled to privacy as human beings. Barbara Mertz privacy feels children It was hate at first sight, clean, pure and strong as grain alcohol. Barbara Mertz hate strong sight I never meant to marry. In my opinion, a woman born in the last half of the nineteenth century of the Christian era suffered from enough disadvantages without willfully embracing another. Barbara Mertz lasts half christian A man asking for help ought to at least give directions. Barbara Mertz asking-for-help giving men Cats always pick the laps of the people who don't like them. Barbara Mertz lap cat people A fondness for martyrdom, especially of the verbal variety, is common to the young. Barbara Mertz youth young common Loving someone condemns you to a lifetime of fear. You become painfully conscious of how fragile people are - bundles of brittle bones and vulnerable flesh, breeding grounds for billions of deadly germs and horrible diseases. Barbara Mertz loving-someone disease people If someone lies down and invites you to trample upon him, you are a remarkable individual if you decline the invitation. Barbara Mertz down-and weakness lying Superstition has its practical uses. Barbara Mertz practicals superstitions use Spring is always cruel, with its false promise of resurrection. Barbara Mertz resurrection spring promise Reputations are shaped not by facts but by prejudices. Barbara Mertz reputation prejudice facts a church ought to express the joy of religion as well as its majesty. Barbara Mertz majesty church joy Money was the manure of politics. Barbara Mertz manure politics stereotypes are awfully misleading. There are typical librarians, but not all librarians are typical. Barbara Mertz librarian typical stereotype There is nothing sadder than the cheerful letters of the dead, expressing hopes that were never fulfilled, ambitions that were never achieved, dreams cut off before they could come to fruition. Barbara Mertz cutting ambition dream kissing someone out of pity is always a mistake. Barbara Mertz kissing-someone kissing mistake Conventional history completely ignores half the human race. Barbara Mertz half race history Writing is like a bird-watcher watching for birds: the stories are there: you just have to train yourself to look for them. Barbara Mertz writing bird looks