In his business, he observed human nature and came to certain conclusions about it. The conclusions lacked wisdom and originality; in fact, they were tiresome. But they were important to Garrity because he had figured them out for himself. In the first years of their marriage, he had tried to tell Mae about these conclusions, but all she said was, "I can imagine." Sometimes she varied by saying, "I can just imagine." Gradually then, because he could not share his inner self with her, he lost the power of being a husband to her, and she was unfaithful to him.

— Betty Smith

In the future, when something comes up, you tell exactly how it happened but write down for yourself the way you think it should have happened. Tell the truth and write the story. Then you won't get mixed up. It was the best advice France every got.

— Betty Smith

It is a good thing to learn the truth one's self. To first believe with all your heart, and then not to believe, is good too. It fattens the emotions and makes them to stretch. When as a woman life and people disappoint her, she will have had practice in disappointment, and it will not come so hard. In teaching your child do not forget that suffering is good too. It makes a person rich in character.

— Betty Smith

It's come at last", she thought, "the time when you can no longer stand between your children and heartache.

— Betty Smith

It was one of the links between the ground-down poor and the wasteful rich. The girl felt that even if she had less than anybody in Williamsburg, somehow she had more. She was richer because she had something to waste.

— Betty Smith

I will not speak falsely and say to you: 'Do not grieve for me when I go.' I have loved my children and tried to be a good mother, and it is right that my children grieve for me. But let your grief be gentle and brief. And let resignation creep into it. Know that I shall be happy. I shall see face to face the great saints I have loved all my life.

— Betty Smith

Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.

— Betty Smith

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either first time or last time.

— Betty Smith

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.

— Betty Smith

Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first time or the last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.

— Betty Smith