The Nature of Home

This is the true nature of home — it is the place of Peace; the shelter, not only from all injury, but from all terror, doubt, and division.

In so far as it is not this, it is not home; so far as the anxieties of the outer life penetrate into it, and the inconsistently-minded, unknown, unloved, or hostile society of the outer world is allowed by either husband or wife to cross the threshold, it ceases to be home; it is then only a part of that outer world which you have roofed over, and lighted fire in.

But so far as it is a sacred place, a vestal temple… so far it vindicates the name, and fulfills the praise, of home.

-John Ruskin