"There are so many unpleasant things in the world already that there is no use in imagining any more."

I finished my re-read of Anne of Avonlea last week so it's time for some more awesome L. M. Montgomery quotes! 

The post title quote is my favorite from Anne of Avonlea - probably because it's something I have to tell myself all the time. The rest of these are pretty good too, in my opinion...

When Anne starts to think that maybe there's something more than friendship between her and Gilbert:

Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one's life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one's side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music, perhaps. . . perhaps. . .love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath.

Miss Lavender explaining her depression so perfectly:

I'm just tired of everything…even of the echoes. There is nothing in my life but echoes…echoes of lost hopes and dreams and joys. They're beautiful and mocking.

Charlotta the Fourth's thoughts on marriage:

“Oh, of course there’s a resk in marrying anybody,” conceded Charlotta the Fourth, “but, when all’s said and done, Miss Shirley, ma’am, there’s many a worse thing than a husband."

Anne's realization that she and her friends are growing up, whether she's ready or not:

This was succeeded by a queer, little lonely feeling…as if, somehow, Diana had gone forward into a new world, shutting a gate behind her, leaving Anne on the outside.

Mr. Harrison's outlook on change, which I think fits in well with the quote above:

“Changes ain’t totally pleasant but they’re excellent things,” said Mr. Harrison philosophically. “Two years is about long enough for things to stay exactly the same. If they stayed put any longer they might grow mossy.”

Anne's observation on the way bad news is spread:

“Have you ever noticed that when people say it is their duty to tell you a certain thing you may prepare for something disagreeable? Why is it that they never seem to think it a duty to tell you the pleasant things they hear about you?” 

And Gilbert being Gilbert (sigh):

"It's a splendid profession," he said enthusiastically. "A fellow has to fight something all through life. . .didn't somebody once define man as a fighting animal?. . .and I want to fight disease and pain and ignorance. . .which are all members one of another. I want to do my share of honest, real work in the world, Anne. . . add a little to the sum of human knowledge that all the good men have been accumulating since it began. The folks who lived before me have done so much for me that I want to show my gratitude by doing something for the folks who will live after me. It seems to me that is the only way a fellow can get square with his obligations to the race."

And finally...: 

“It takes all sorts of people to make a world, as I've often heard, but I think there are some who could be spared,' Anne told her reflection in the east gable mirror that night.” 

Anne, I completely agree.