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13 quotes by Helen Keller · clear filters
the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart
Attribution contested
The words are Keller's, but two things in the popular version are not. The wording is smoothed -- it usually appears as they must be felt with the heart -- and, more importantly, Keller does not present the thought as her own: she writes that her teacher explained it to her. On her own account the sentence belongs at least as much to Anne Sullivan.
It lets us into the soul of things and teaches us that although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.
A man must understand evil and be acquainted with sorrow before he can write himself an optimist and expect others to believe that he has reason for the faith that is in him.
With the first word I used intelligently, I learned to live, to think, to hope.
Had it not been for the persistent encouragement of Miss Sullivan, I think I should have given up trying to write altogether.
Once I knew the depth where no hope was, and darkness lay on the face of all things.
Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.
I can say with conviction that the struggle which evil necessitates is one of the greatest blessings. It makes us strong, patient, helpful men and women.
No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.
Optimism that does not count the cost is like a house builded on sand.
Each halt in his progress has been but a pause before a mighty leap forward.
Life is a fair field, and the right will prosper if we stand by our guns.
With the dropping of a little word from another's hand into mine, a slight flutter of the fingers, began the intelligence, the joy, the fullness of my life.