Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety; it shows itself in acts rather than words, and has more influence than homilies or protestat… - Louisa May Alcott

I don't like favors; they oppress and make me fell like a slave. I'd rather do everything for myself, and be perfectly independent.

She never knew that Mr. Laurence opened his study door to hear the old-fashioned airs he liked. She never saw Laurie mount guard in the hall to warn the servants away. She never suspected that the exercise books and new songs which she found in the rack were put there for her special benefit, and when he talked to her about music at home she only thought how kind he was to tell things that helped her so much. So she enjoyed herself heartily, and found, what isn't always the case, that her granted wish was all she had hoped. Perhaps it was because she was so grateful for this blessing that a greater was given her. At any rate she deserved both.

…marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties.