“In a sick-room or a bed-room there should never be shutters shut.”

The amount of relief and comfort experienced by the sick after the skin has been carefully washed and dried, is one of the commonest observations made at a sick bed.

How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.

Variety of form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to patients are actual means of recovery.

Jesus Christ raised women above the condition of mere slaves, mere ministers to the passions of the man, raised them by His sympathy, to be Ministers of God.

No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this-‘devoted and obedient.’ This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse. It would not do for a policeman.

Rather, ten times, die in the surf, heralding the way to a new world, than stand idly on the shore.

Averages seduce us away from minute observation.

The time is come when women must do something more than the “domestic hearth,” which means nursing the infants, keeping a pretty house, having a good dinner and an entertaining party.

I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.

No woman has excited “passions” among women more than I have. Yet I leave no school behind me.

Religion was important to me. My family and I were very religious. I acctualy believe the work I did was a calling from God himself.

A human being does not cease to exist at death. It is change, not destruction, which takes place.

Apprehension, uncertainty, waiting, expectation, fear of surprise, do a patient more harm than any exertion.

Nursing is a progressive art such that to stand still is to go backwards.

Never to allow a patient to be waked, intentionally or accidentally, is a sine qua non of all good nursing.

Never give nor take an excuse.

He who indulges in falsehood will find the paths of paradise shut to him.

As so often happens, I discover that it would have been better to keep my mouth shut.

Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t going away.

I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead; I lift my eyes and all is born again.

People can tell you to keep your mouth shut, but that doesn’t stop you from having your own opinion.

I want to taste and glory in each day, and never be afraid to experience pain; and never shut myself up in a numb core of nonfeeling, or stop questioning and criticizing life and take the easy way out.

Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.

You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.