Home > Work > The Gift of the Magi
1 " The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi. "
― O. Henry , The Gift of the Magi
2 " Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating. "
3 " And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. "
4 " Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling—something "
5 " Единственное, что тут можно было сделать, это хлопнуться на старенькую кушетку и зареветь. Именно так Делла и поступила. Откуда напрашивается философский вывод, что жизнь состоит из слез, вздохов и улыбок, причем вздохи преобладают. "
6 " There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. "
7 " Life is full of sniffles sobs and smiles. With sniffles predominating. "
8 " There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating. "
9 " But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi. "
10 " Will you buy my hair? "
11 " Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi. "
12 " One dollar and eighty-seven cents. "
13 " It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad. "
14 " Twenty dollars a week doesn’t go far. "
15 " Pennies saved one and two at a time "
16 " Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered,” she went on with sudden serious sweetness, “but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim? "
17 " Eight dollars a week or a million a year—what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. "
18 " Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating. "
19 " Please God, make him think I am still pretty. "
20 " She started to try to cover the sad marks of what she had done. Love and large-hearted giving, when added together, can leave deep marks. It is never easy to cover these marks, dear friends, never easy. "
