Kate Chopin

"The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude."

"I would give up the unessential. I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself."

"A certain light was beginning to dawn dimly within her—the light which, showing the way, forbids it."

"If it is a divine call, no matter how unexpectedly it comes, I should obey it."

"The bird that would soar above the level plain must have strong wings."

"I give myself where I choose to give myself. There is no bearing, no responsibility."

"Life is too short and too finite for the things that we have to say to wait indefinitely."

"To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence."

"Each of us is destined to draw our own conclusions about what we believe."

"The past was nothing to her; offered no lesson which she was willing to heed."

"She felt as if she were being borne away from some anchorage which had held her safe."

"There are moments in life when all we can do is yield to the wisdom of nature."

"One can never know what led to the birth of a human soul."

"Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life."

"The role we have to play in the world is the only one that matters."

"I don't think I should sacrifice myself for any one."

"Self-awareness is a fundamental attribute of any conscious being."

"Desire is always a noble impulse when properly understood."

"We all have to take chances in life if we want to accomplish anything."

"A human being is not meant to exist in the state of perpetual self-denial."

"She wanted to give herself up entirely to the emotion which possessed her."

"The greatest gift we can give is our presence and attention to those we love."

"Art is the language of the soul, speaking truths that words cannot convey."

"Every woman should have the right to shape her own destiny."

"Conventions are rules created by society to maintain order and control."

"The greatest achievement is to become fully oneself."

"Solitude is not loneliness; it is the company of one's own thoughts."

"Love is a feeling, not a duty or obligation to be fulfilled."

"To understand oneself is the beginning of wisdom."

"The world often judges us by standards we did not create."