"Ole Golly," Harriet said loudly, "are you trying to say something?"
"Yes."
"Well, what, then?"
" 'Solitude, the safeguard of mediocrity, is to genius the stern friend'!"
"WHAT?" Harriet screamed with exasperation.
"Emerson. 'Conduct of Life.' "
"OLE GOLLY"—Harriet stood up. She was really furious—"do you or don't you feel sorry for people who are alone?"
"No," said Ole Golly, looking up quizzically at Harriet. "No, I don't."
"Oh," said Harriet and sat down. "I do."
" 'This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.' "
Sometimes, Harriet thought, I wish she would just shut up.

—excerpt from Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, 1964

I really love this book.

I can't resist posting this link to the celebrity swear-a-thon.
(via everlasting blort)


Beautiful silver woman via neurastenia