jonsmith

“In its easiness of grammatical construction, in its paucity of inflexion, in its almost total disregard of the distinctions of gender excepting those of nature, in the simplicity and precision of its terminations and auxiliary verbs, not less than the majesty, vigour and copiousness of its expression, our mother-tongue seems well adapted by organization to become the language of the world.”
― Melvyn Bragg, The Adventure of English: The Biography of a Language

“The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it isn’t utterly absurd. Indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible.”
― Ruth Rendell, End in Tears

“do believe the South has produced more high-minded women, women of universal sentiments, than any other section of the country except possibly New England in the last century.”
― Walker Percy, The Moviegoer

“She died—this was the way she died; And when her breath was done, Took up her simple wardrobe And started for the sun. Her little figure at the gate The angels must have spied, Since I could never find her Upon the mortal side. —“Vanished,” Emily Dickinson”
― Matthew FitzSimmons, Constance