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I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.

— Mary Oliver Evidence (2009)

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Kindness

More quotes by Mary Oliver

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

New and Selected Poems (1992)

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

New and Selected Poems, Volume 2 (2005)

But also I say this: that light is an invitation to happiness, and that happiness, when it’s done right, is a kind of holiness.

Blue Iris (2004)

The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.

Blue Pastures (1995)

Among the swans there is none called the least,
or the greatest.

Evidence (2009)

All Mary Oliver quotes →

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Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

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Affectation hides three times as many virtues as charity does sins.

Horace Mann Thoughts Selected from the Writings of Horace Mann (1867)

A daughter who respects you while you’re alive is far better than a son who performs the rites and rituals after you’re gone.

Sanu Sharma

O proud philanthropist, your hope is vain
To get by giving what you lost by gain.

Ambrose Bierce

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Mary Oliver (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.