Quotes by Harriet Martineau

“There have been few things in my life which have had a more genial effect on my mind than the possession of a piece of land”

“[Americans] have realized many things for which the rest of the world is still struggling...[yet] the civilization and the morals of the Americans fall far below their own principles.”

“But is it not the fact that religion emanates from the nature, from the moral state of the individual? Is it not therefore true that unless the nature be completely exercised, the moral state harmo...”

“Religion is a temper, not a pursuit.”

“Any one must see at a glance that if men and women marry those whom they do not love, they must love those whom they do not marry.”

“The sum and substance of female education in America, as in England, is training women to consider marriage as the sole object in life, and to pretend that they do not think so.”

“You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.”

“It is my deliberate opinion that the one essential requisite of human welfare in all ways is scientific knowledge of human nature.”

“If a test of civilization be sought, none can be so sure as the condition of that half of society over which the other half has power.”

“Happiness consists in the full employment of our faculties in some pursuit.”

“It is characteristic of genius to be hopeful and aspiring.”

“Who is apt on occasion to assign a multitude of reasons when one will do? This is a sure sign of weakness in argument.”

“A soul occupied with great ideas performs small duties.”

“Who is apt on occasion to assign a multitude of reasons when one will do? This is a sure sign of weakness in argument.”

“For my own part, I had rather suffer any inconvenience from having to work occasionally in chambers and kitchen … than witness the subservience in which the menial class is held in Europe.”

“Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the modesty succumb. It can be only a false modesty which can be thus endangered.”

“What office is there which involves more responsibility, which requires more qualifications, and which ought, therefore, to be more honourable, than that of teaching?”

“What a visitation! Miss Martineau is the more formidable friend, however—Mrs. Jameson will be contented with a little confidence, you see, and ask no questions—but I doubt if you arrange matters so...”

“Miss Martineau had been extremely kind to me... Well, she is the sort of woman that would have made a good matron in an hospital.”

“After all, she is a trump—the only Englishwoman that possesses thoroughly the art of writing.”