If an ass goes traveling it will not come home a horse.
—Common Proverb
Perhaps this is our strange and haunting paradox here in America—that we are fixed and certain only when we are in movement. At any rate, that is how it seemed to young George Webber, who was never so assured of his purpose as when he was going somewhere on a train. And he never had the sense of home so much as when he felt that he was going there. It was only when he got there that his homelessness began.
—Thomas Wolfe (1900–38) American Novelist
The paternal hearth, that rallying place of the affections.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
One returns to the place one came from.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
There is room in the smallest cottage for a happy loving pair.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
People usually are the happiest at home.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Life is a temporary stop, death is the journey home.
—Vietnamese Proverb
To be happy at home is the ultimate aim of all ambition; the end to which every enterprise and labor tends, and of which every desire prompts the prosecution.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Our home joys are the most delightful earth affords, and the joy of parents in their children is the most holy joy of humanity. It makes their hearts pure and good, it lifts men up to their Father in heaven.
—Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746–1827) Swiss Educator
This fond attachment to the well-known place whence first we started into life’s long race, maintains its hold with such unfailing sway, we feel it e’en in age, and at our latest day.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Every dog is a lion at home.
—Italian Proverb
A house that does not have one worn, comfy chair in it is soulless.
—May Sarton (1912–95) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Novelist
Away from home they look at your clothes. At home they look at what is under them.
—Chinese Proverb
Much of the modern resistance to chastity comes from men’s belief that they “own” their bodies — those vast and perilous estates, pulsating with the energy that made the worlds, in which they find themselves without their consent and from which they are ejected at the pleasure of Another!
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
Many a man who pays rent all his life owns his own home; and many a family has successfully saved for a home only to find itself at last with nothing but a house.
—Bruce Fairchild Barton (1886–1967) American Author, Advertising Executive, Politician
Nothing annoys a woman more than to have company drop in unexpectedly and find the house looking as it usually does.
—Frank Lane (1896–1981) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
To most men their early home is no more than a memory of their early years. The image is never marred. There’s no disappointment in memory, and one’s exaggerations are always on the good side.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
The home is the basis of a righteous life and no other instrumentality can take its place nor fulfill its essential functions.
—David O. McKay (1873–1970) American Mormon Religious Leader
If you stay at home you won’t wear out your shoes.
—Yiddish Proverb
Away from home the girl picks forbidden fruit.
—African Proverb
There is this difference between happiness and wisdom, that he that thinks himself the happiest man really is so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
He makes his home where the living is best.
—Latin Proverb
The hunter who always comes home with meat is a thief.
—African Proverb
I want a house that has got over all its troubles; I don’t want to spend the rest of my life bringing up a young and inexperienced house.
—Jerome K. Jerome (1859–1927) English Humorous Writer, Novelist, Playwright
The best way to keep children at home is to make home a pleasant atmosphere – and to let the air out of the tires.
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) American Humorist, Journalist
Six things are requisite to create a “happy home.” Integrity must be the architect, and tidiness the upholsterer. It must be warmed by affection, lighted up with cheerfulness; and industry must be the ventilator, renewing the atmosphere and bringing in fresh salubrity day by day; while over all, as a protecting canopy and glory, nothing will suffice except the blessing of God.
—James Hamilton (1814–67) Scottish Protestant Minister
Home is the seminary of all other institutions.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
There is no happiness in life, and there is no misery, like that growing out of the dispositions which consecrate or desecrate a home.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
The cock goes to town for only four days and returns home a peacock.
—Indian Proverb
A man is always nearest to his good when at home, and farthest from it when away.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist