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We must not inquire too curiously into motives…. they are apt to become feeble in the utterance: the aroma is mixed with the grosser air. We must keep the germinating grain away from the light.

— George Eliot

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Motivational

More quotes by George Eliot

The blessed work of helping the world forward, happily does not wait to be done by perfect men.

Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact.

The happiest women, like the happiest nations, have no history.

The Mill on the Floss (1860)

Every man who is not a monster, a mathematician, or a mad philosopher, is the slave of some woman or other.

Howiver, I'm not denyin' the women are foolish: God Almighty made 'em to match the men.

Adam Bede (1859)

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In the eye of that Supreme Being to whom our whole internal frame is uncovered, dispositions hold the place of actions.

Hugh Blair Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895)

It is not for human judgment to dive into the heart of man, to know whether his intentions are good or evil.

Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon Case of John Lambert and others (1793)

The plaintiff cannot dive into the secret recesses of his (the defendant's) heart.

John Romilly, 1st Baron Romilly In Re Ward (1862)

Iago's soliloquy—the motive-hunting of a motiveless malignity—how awful it is!

Samuel Taylor Coleridge Lectures and Notes on Shakespeare and Other English Poets (1811)

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