It's commonly said that people who've been ill in childhood and who've had an upset education never really regret that they do. It means that you don't look at the world in the way that other people do, and if you were inclined to be a writer, that's a help.
“Marriage, for a woman at least, hampers the two things that made life to me glorious - friendship and learning.”
“Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger.”