Sarah Josepha Hale Quotes

To speak without metaphor—the engrossing pursuit of Americans is wealth.

Crackers toasted or hard bread may be added a short time before the soup is wanted; but do not put in those libels on civilized cookery, called dumplings! One might about as well eat, with the hope of digesting, a brick from the ruins of Babylon, as one of the hard, heavy masses of boiled dough which usually pass under this name.

Let no one understand me as speaking lightly of that Catechism. It was framed by good men, and doubtless with the best intentions. But there can be no perfect system of faith as expounded by men; and there should be no creed which requires the human mind to render its unqualified assent before it has examined and reflected.

And evermore the Deep has worshipped God; </br> And Bards and Prophets tune their mystic lyres </br> While listening to the music of the floods.

What has made this nation great? Not its heroes, but its households.

What matter though the scorn of fools be given, </br> If the path followed lead us on to heaven!

It requires but a few threads of hope, for the heart that is skilled in the secret, to weave a web of happiness.

Woman's empire, holier, more refined, </br> Moulds, moves and sways the fall'n but God-breathed mind, </br> Lifting the earth-crushed heart to hope and heaven.

Oh! wondrous power, how little understood, </br> Entrusted to the Mother's mind alone </br> To fashion genius, form the soul for good, </br> Inspire a West, or train a Washington!

A man is never more self satisfied than when he is confirming a favorite theory.

Rugged strength and radiant beauty— </br> These were one in nature's plan; </br> Humble toil and heavenward duty— </br> These will form the perfect man!

A day of bliss is quickly told, </br> A thousand would not make us old </br> As one of sorrow doth— </br> It is by cares, by woes and tears, </br> We round the sum of human years——

Beauty was lent to nature as the type </br> Of heaven's unspeakable and holy joy, </br> Where all perfection makes the sum of bliss.

Mr. and Mrs. R. persuaded themselves that, while they kept the Sabbath day with pharisaical strictness, the other six days were their own. They strove for earth and sighed for heaven, and failed of enjoyment in the pursuit of either.

Hail, Holy Day! the blessing from above </br> Brightens thy presence like a smile of love, </br> Smoothing, like oil upon a stormy sea, </br> The roughest waves of human destiny— </br> Cheering the good, and to the poor oppressed </br> Bearing the promise of their heavenly rest.