“For could I have the comfort of knowing that you are content - I should be more than glad of his consent.” Revealing how deeply her friend's peace of mind mattered to her · Letter to Maria Weston Chapman, December 25, 1883 Compassion Contentment Friendship
“I do not see what is gained to the world you would - always - help by your withholding your presence from the little fete which is intended to honor your one friend.” An appeal to put friendship and human fellowship above personal reservations · Letter to Maria Weston Chapman, December 25, 1883 Community Friendship Generosity
“Do you think I am in danger of floundering into moral mush? I don't.” A characteristically playful assertion that tolerance need not mean abandoning moral convictions · Letter to Maria Weston Chapman, December 25, 1883 Humour Morality Principles
“Were we to rate every friend's - sister's or brother's - idiosyncracies at the height of the second dispensation or even of that of Moses & the prophets our skirts should be of asbestos to save us from the reflex of our judicial fires.” A witty warning against judging friends too harshly for their individual peculiarities · Letter to Maria Weston Chapman, December 25, 1883 Humility Judgement Tolerance
“For me - no principle is endangered in his participation in this affair - more than in any other person's performance with whom I may have to do.” A pragmatic distinction between genuine principle and the personal peculiarities of others · Letter to Maria Weston Chapman, December 25, 1883 Judgement Principles Tolerance
“Old beggar women (and men) come around you and plead, with eighty or more winters in their wrinkles. I for one cannot refuse.” Expressing compassion for the elderly poor she encountered in Rome · Letter concerning her Roman studio work, 1868 Compassion Humanity Poverty
“It has been a very satisfactory two months of study and gives me a feeling of confidence in the step I have taken in coming abroad.” A candid expression of growing confidence after beginning her artistic life in Rome · Letter to her family, March 1868 Achievement Art Confidence
“The vast difference between working here and at home is at once manifest in the abundance with which the necessities of study present themselves to you without any wearisome search.” Describing how Rome transformed her experience of artistic study by making opportunities for learning constantly available · Letter to her family, November 18, 1867 Art Learning Study
“Bury your grievance, my dear Sarah and Edward. It will take more than a Boston Committee to quench me.” A spirited refusal to let prejudice or disappointment extinguish her determination as an artist · Letter to Sarah and Edward Whitney, 1875 Courage Independence Resilience
