Accepting oneself does not preclude an attempt to become better.

— Flannery O'Connor

And if the student finds that this is not to his taste well that is regrettable. Most regrettable. His taste should not be consulted it is being formed.

— Flannery O'Connor

Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days.

— Flannery O'Connor

Art requires a delicate adjustment of the outer and inner worlds in such a way that, without changing their nature, they can be seen through each other.

— Flannery O'Connor

Art transcends its limitations only by staying within them.

— Flannery O'Connor

A working knowledge of the devil can be very well had from resisting him.

— Flannery O'Connor

Children know by instinct that hell is an absence of love, and they can pick out theirs without missing.

— Flannery O'Connor

Conviction without experience makes for harshness.

— Flannery O'Connor

Conviction without experiences makes for harshness.

— Flannery O'Connor

Dogma is the guardian of mystery. The doctrines are spiritually significant in ways that we cannot fathom.

— Flannery O'Connor