it takes the very wisest person there is to know when to talk, and when to keep still. Gene Stratton-Porter More Quotes by Gene Stratton-Porter More Quotes From Gene Stratton-Porter I know men and women. An honourable man is an honourable man, and a liar is a liar; both are born and not made. One cannot change to the other any more than that same old leopard can change its spots. After a man tells a woman the first untruth of that sort, the others come piling thick, fast, and mountain high. Gene Stratton-Porter mountain liars men How a big majority of book critics and authors have come to believe and to teach that no book is true to life unless it is true to the worst in life, God knows. Gene Stratton-Porter true-life believe book If you are lazy, and accept your lot, you may live in it. If you are willing to work, you can write your name anywhere you choose. Gene Stratton-Porter names writing inspirational To my way of thinking and working, the greatest service a piece of fiction can do any reader is to leave him with a higher ideal of life than he had when he began. If in one small degree it shows him where he can be...gentler, saner, cleaner, kindlier...it is a wonder-working book. If it opens his eyes to one beauty in nature he never saw for himself and leads him one step toward the God of the Universe, it is a beneficial book. Gene Stratton-Porter eye book thinking Nature can be trusted to work her own miracle in the heart of any man whose daily task keeps him alone among her sights, sounds and silences. Gene Stratton-Porter sight heart men I write as the birds sing, because I must, and usually from the same source of inspiration. Gene Stratton-Porter inspiration writing bird Be sure that you are right; and then go ahead. Gene Stratton-Porter action You cannot write on the heart of another what you do not feel yourself. Gene Stratton-Porter heart writing feels There never was a moment in my life, when I felt so in the Presence, as I do now. I feel as if the Almighty were so real, and so near, that I could reach out and touch Him, as I could this wonderful work of His, if I dared. I feel like saying to Him: 'To the extent of my brain power I realize Your presence, and all it is in me to comprehend of Your power. Help me to learn, even this late, the lessons of Your wonderful creations. Help me to unshackle and expand my soul to the fullest realization of Your wonders. Almighty God, make me bigger, make me broader! Gene Stratton-Porter real soul brain Nature always levies her tribute. Gene Stratton-Porter tribute nature The seasons run with swift feet. Gene Stratton-Porter seasons feet running Is he well educated?" "Yes, I think so, as far as he's gone," I answered. "Of course he will go on being educated every day of his life, same as father. He says it is all rot about 'finishing' your education. You never do. You learn more important things each day. Gene Stratton-Porter important father thinking we know by the odour that occasionally we are visited by skunks, which are not poetic but very beautiful. Gene Stratton-Porter very-beautiful poetic beautiful there was nothing in the whole world so dreadful as the power of riches wrongly used. Gene Stratton-Porter riches wealth world In the economy of nature nothing is ever lost. I cannot belive that the soul of man shall prove the one exception Gene Stratton-Porter economy soul men There was an exquisitely beautiful conception in my brain when I did this piece of work all alone from midnight until morning after the experience of a wonderful day. But I was not able to make the consummation anywhere nearly as beautiful as the inspiration. That, I suppose, is the cry of every heart struggling for self-expression. Gene Stratton-Porter inspiration morning beautiful Do you know that being a stranger is the hardest thing that can happen to any one in all this world? Gene Stratton-Porter hardest stranger world What you are lies with you. If you are lazy, and accept your lot, you may live in it. If you are willing to work, you can write your name anywhere you choose, among the only ones who live beyond the grave in this world, the people who write books that help, make exquisite music, carve statues, paint pictures, and work for others. Never mind the calico dress, and the coarse shoes. Work at you books, and before long you will hear yesterday's tormentors boasting that they were once classmates of yours. Gene Stratton-Porter writing book lying We never know the timber of a man's soul until something cuts into him deeply and brings the grain out strong. You've the making of a mighty fine piece of furniture. Gene Stratton-Porter cutting strong men The wages of sin are the hardest debts on earth to pay, and they are always collected at inconvenient times and unexpected places. Gene Stratton-Porter debt wages earth