Who said “But these things are often unknown to the world; for there is much pain that is quite…”?

Verified

George Eliot. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceIntroduction (pp. 11–12 – page numbers per the 'Wordsworth Classics' edition 1997)

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“But these things are often unknown to the world; for there is much pain that is quite noiseless; and vibrations that make human agonies are often a mere whisper in the roar of hurrying existence. There are glances of hatred that stab and raise no cry of murder; robberies that leave man or woman for ever beggared of peace and joy, yet kept secret by the sufferer – committed to no sound except that of low moans in the night, seen in no writing except that made on the face by the slow months of suppressed anguish and early morning tears. Many an inherited sorrow that has marred a life has been breathed in no human ear.”
VerifiedIntroduction (pp. 11–12 – page numbers per the 'Wordsworth Classics' edition 1997) · evidencePain
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Introduction (pp. 11–12 – page numbers per the 'Wordsworth Classics' edition 1997).

APA

Eliot, G. (n.d.). But these things are often unknown to the world; for there is much pain that is quite noiseless; and vibrations that make human agonies are often a mere whisper in the roar of hurrying existence. There are glances of hatred that stab and raise no cry of murder; robberies that leave man or woman for ever beggared of peace and joy, yet kept secret by the sufferer – committed to no sound except that of low moans in the night, seen in no writing except that made on the face by the slow months of suppressed anguish and early morning tears. Many an inherited sorrow that has marred a life has been breathed in no human ear. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/21369-but-these-things-are-often-unknown-to-the/

MLA

Eliot, George. “But these things are often unknown to the world; for there is much pain that is quite noiseless; and vibrations that make human agonies are often a mere whisper in the roar of hurrying existence. There are glances of hatred that stab and raise no cry of murder; robberies that leave man or woman for ever beggared of peace and joy, yet kept secret by the sufferer – committed to no sound except that of low moans in the night, seen in no writing except that made on the face by the slow months of suppressed anguish and early morning tears. Many an inherited sorrow that has marred a life has been breathed in no human ear.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/21369-but-these-things-are-often-unknown-to-the/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Eliot, George. “But these things are often unknown to the world; for there is much pain that is quite noiseless; and vibrations that make human agonies are often a mere whisper in the roar of hurrying existence. There are glances of hatred that stab and raise no cry of murder; robberies that leave man or woman for ever beggared of peace and joy, yet kept secret by the sufferer – committed to no sound except that of low moans in the night, seen in no writing except that made on the face by the slow months of suppressed anguish and early morning tears. Many an inherited sorrow that has marred a life has been breathed in no human ear.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/21369-but-these-things-are-often-unknown-to-the/.