Quotes by Mary Clark

“If you want to be happy for a year, win the lottery. If you want to be happy for life, love what you do.””

“Our children begin by loving us; as they grow up they judge us; sometimes they forgive us.””

“Get what you get honestly. Use what you get frugally. That’s the way to live comfortably And die honorably.””

“The two more useless words in the English language - Don't worry.””

“better to ask for forgiveness than permission.””

“In her room death would come as a friend, a friend with cool gentle hands . . .””

“one person’s idea of live-and-let-live is another person’s definition of betrayal,””

“In the early twelfth century century the Virgin had been the supreme protectress of civilisation. She had taught a race of tough and ruthless barbarians the virtues of tenderness and compassion. The great cathedrals of the Middle Ages were her dwelling places upon earth. In the Renaissance, while remaining the Queen of Heaven, she became also the human mother in whom everyone could recognise qualities of warmth and love and approachability...The stabilising, comprehensive religions of the world, the religions which penetrate to every part of a man's being--in Egypt, India or China--gave the female principle of creation at least as much importance as the male, and wouldn't have taken seriously a philosophy that failed to include them both...It's a curious fact that theall-male religions have produced no religious imagery--in most cases have positively forbidden it. The great religious art of the world is deeply involved with the female principle.””

“The best answer I’ve heard came in a sermon given by an elderly priest many years ago. He was traveling in the Middle East and was overwhelmed by the majesty of the Persian rugs he saw. Those gorgeous creations so skillfully woven into such beautiful designs. One day he was in a shop where those rugs were on display. He walked behind one that was hanging on hooks from the ceiling. Looking at it from behind, he was shocked to behold a confusing array of threads that led nowhere. Such beauty on one side, total disharmony on the other, but both part of the same plan. It was then that the message became clear to him. In this life we see only the back side of the rug. We don’t know how or why our unspeakable hardships are part of a beautiful design. That is why having faith is so important.””

“I don’t think there is any book that can’t teach you something, even if it is how not to tell a story.””