Anne Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857,) née Soymonoff or Soymanova, was a Russian mystic, writer, and salonnière.
Born in Moscow, Swetchine was the daughter of one of the Empress Catherine the Great’s closest advisors. Swetchine was educated well, spoke many European languages, and became the lady-in-waiting to Empress Maria Fedorovna.
In 1799, Swetchine married General Nicholas Sergeyevich Swetchine, but the couple could not have children. She turned to religion for comfort, came under the influence of the Savoyard philosopher Joseph de Maistre, and converted to Roman Catholicism in 1815. Settling in Paris, Swetchine fostered her religious leanings by maintaining a private chapel. She opened a salon in Paris that became famous for not only its spiritual atmosphere but also its courtesy and intellect.
Swetchine’s Life and Works (2 vols., 1860,) celebrated for its mysticism, was published posthumously by French politician and author Frédéric Alfred Pierre, comte de Falloux. They were followed by her Letters (2 vols., 1861.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Sophie Swetchine
Resignation is putting God between ourselves and our troubles.
—Sophie Swetchine
Prayer, says St. Jerome, “is a groan.” Ah! our groans are prayers as well. The very cry of distress is an involuntary appeal to that invisible Power whose aid the soul invokes.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Prayer
He who has never denied himself for the sake of giving, has but glanced at the joys of charity.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Charity
What I most value next to eternity, is time.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Time
Those who make us happy are always thankful to us for being so; their gratitude is the reward of their benefits.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Gratitude
To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Love
The only true method of action in this world is to be in it, but not of it.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: World
When two truths seem directly opposed to each other, we must not question either, but remember there is a third—God—who reserves to himself the right to harmonize them.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Truth
We forgive too little; forget too much.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Forgiveness
If it were ever allowable to forget what is due to superiority of rank, it would be when the privileged themselves remembered it.
—Sophie Swetchine
There is, by God’s grace, an immeasurable distance between late and too late.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Procrastination
I study much, and the more I study the oftener I go back to those first principles which are so simple that childhood itself can lisp them.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Study
In the opinion of the world marriage ends all, as it does in a comedy.—The truth is precisely the reverse; it begins all.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Marriage
As we advance in life the circle of our pains enlarges, while that of our pleasures contracts.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Age
In order to have an enemy, one must be somebody.—One must be a force before he can be resisted by another force—a malicious enemy is better than a clumsy friend.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Enemy, Enemies
How easy to be amiable in the midst of happiness and success.
—Sophie Swetchine
The heart has always the pardoning power.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Forgiveness, Heart
We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Strength
Youth should be a savings bank.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Youth
Those who have suffered much are like those who know many languages; they have learned to understand and be understood by all.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Adversity
There is a transcendent power in example. We reform others unconsciously, when we walk uprightly.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Correction, Reform, Example
Years do not make sages; they only make old men.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Age
Pride dries the tears of anger and vexation; humility, those of grief. The one is indignant that we should suffer: the other calms us by the reminder that we deserve nothing else.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Tears
The fact that God has prohibited despair gives misfortune the right to hope all things, and leaves hope free to dare all things.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Despair
It is a little stream which flows softly, but it freshens everything along its course.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Moderation
The chains which cramp us most are those which weigh on us least.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Trifles
Repentance is accepted remorse.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Repentance, Forgiveness
In youth we feel richer for every new illusion; in maturer years, for every one we lose.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Illusion
There are two ways of attaining an important end, force and perseverance; the silent power of the latter grows irresistible with time.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Perseverance, Goals
The best advice on the art of being happy is about as easy to follow as advice to be well when one is sick.
—Sophie Swetchine
Topics: Happiness
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