Harriet Beecher Stowe is an American author who wrote the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The novel was published in 1852 and became a bestseller, selling 10,000 copies a day. It is credited with helping fuel the abolitionist cause in the 1850s. Here are some Harriet Beecher Stowe Quotes.
The book depicts slavery as an evil system that dehumanizes both slaves and slave owners alike. It is often read in American literature classes because it’s seen as a strong example of early American literature and also because it tells the story of how slavery can lead to terrible consequences for both blacks and whites.
Harriet Beecher Stowe famous quotes
“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
“The truth is the kindest thing we can give folks in the end.”
“The longest way must have its close – the gloomiest night will wear on to a morning.”
“What makes saintliness in my view, as distinguished from ordinary goodness, is a certain quality of magnanimity and greatness of soul that brings life within the circle of the heroic.”
“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”
“The heart has no tears to give,–it drops only blood, bleeding itself away in silence.”
“Of course, in a novel, people’s hearts break, and they die and that is the end of it; and in a story this is very convenient. But in real life, we do not die when all that makes life bright dies to us.”
“Talk of the abuses of slavery! Humbug! The thing itself is the essence of all abuse!”
“I make no manner of doubt that you threw a very diamond of truth at me, though you see it hit me so directly in the face that it wasn’t exactly appreciated, at first.”
“O, with what freshness, what solemnity and beauty, is each new day born; as if to say to insensate man, “Behold! thou hast one more chance! Strive for immortal glory!”
“Sweet souls around us watch us still, press nearer to our side; Into our thoughts, into our prayers, with gentle helpings glide.”
“Home is a place not only of strong affections, but of entire unreserve; it is life’s undress rehearsal, its backroom, its dressing room.”
“True love ennobles and dignifies the material labors of life; and homely services rendered for love’s sake have in them a poetry that is immortal.”
“The past, the present and the future are really one: they are today.”
“Friendships are discovered rather than made.”
“Common sense is seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be.”
“Human nature is above all things lazy.”
“Any mind that is capable of real sorrow is capable of good.”
“In all ranks of life the human heart yearns for the beautiful, and the beautiful things that God makes are his gift to all alike.”
“Most mothers are instinctive philosophers.”
“It is generally understood that men don’t aspire after the absolute right, but only to do about as well as the rest of the world.”
“There are in this world blessed souls, whose sorrows all spring up into joys for others; whose earthly hopes, laid in the grave with many tears, are the seed from which spring healing flowers and balm for the desolate and the distressed.”
“Once in an age, God sends to some of us a friend who loves in us… not the person that we are, But the angel we may be.”
“We should remember in our dealings with animals that they are a sacred trust to us from our Heavenly Father. They are dumb and cannot speak for themselves.”
“Strange, what brings these past things so vividly back to us, sometimes!”
“Love is very beautiful but very, very sad.”
“Money is a great help everywhere; – can’t have too much, if you get it honestly.”