“The trout fisher, like the landscape painter, haunts the loveliest places of the earth, and haunts them alone. Solitude and his own thoughtshe must be on the best terms with all of these; and he wh...”

“Shopkeepers the great landed and commercial interestsregularly sat and slept, and where the two publicans occupied pews, but seldom made even the pretence of worshipping.”

“Shopkeepers —the great landed and commercial interests—regularly sat and slept, and where the two publicans occupied pews, but seldom made even the pretence of worshipping.”

“Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends for it is one of God's best gifts. It involves many things but above all the power of getting out of one's self and appreciating whatever is nob...”

“When we think of all the beatitudes in life, our heart shall be merry.”

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”

“Blessed are the meek, for to them we shall say "attaboy".”

“When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for t...”

“You know Balbec so well - do you have friends in the area?'I have friends wherever there are companies of trees, wounded but not vanquished, which huddle together with touching obstinacy to implore...”

“Things that matter are not easy. Feelings of happiness are easy. Happiness is not. Flirting is easy. Love is not. Saying youre friends is easy. Being friends is not.”

“No matter what gifts you have, practice is the only way to get better at anything."If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery it would not seem so wonderful at all - Michael Angelo”

“You're gorgeous, you old hag, and if I could give you just one gift ever for the rest of your life it would be this. Confidence. It would be the gift of confidence. Either that or a scented candle”

“Time is a precious gift.”