Elizabeth Gaskell Quotes

Loyalty and obedience to wisdom and justice are fine; but it is still finer to defy arbitrary power, unjustly and cruelly used--not on behalf of ourselves, but on behalf of others more helpless.

Nevertheless, his moustachios are splendid.

Were all men equal to-night, some would get the start by rising an hour earlier to-morrow.

A man is so in the way in the house.

Nothing like the act of eating for equalizing men. Dying is nothing to it.

He loved her, and would love her; and defy her, and this miserable bodily pain.

But Mr. Hale resolved that he would not be disturbed by any such nonsensical idea; so he lay awake, determining not to think about it.

I would not trust a mouse to a woman if a man's judgment could be had.

A great matter calls her son with terms like deal, and love.

He could not - say rather, he would not - deny himself the chance of the pleasure of seeing Margaret. He had no end in this but the present gratification.

I never did write a biography, and I don't exactly know how to set about it; you see I have to be accurate and keep to the facts, a most difficult thing for a writer of fiction.

Oh, my Margaret--my Margaret! no one can tell what you are to me! Dead--cold as you lie there you are the only woman I ever loved! Oh, Margaret--Margaret!

All the earth, though it were full of kind hearts, is but a desolation and desert place to a mother when her only child is absent.

I don't believe there's a man in Milton who knows how to sit still; and it is a great art.

A girl in love will do a good deal.

Margaret found that the indifferent, careless conversations of one who, however kind, was not too warm and anxious a sympathizer, did her good.

She never called her son by any name but John; 'love' and 'dear', and such like terms, were reserved for Fanny.

I am the mother that bore you, and your sorrow is my agony; and if you don't hate her, i do' Then, mother, you make me love her more. She is unjustly treated by you, and I must make the balance even.

How different men were to women!

I could wish there were a God, if it were only to ask him to bless thee.

Similarity of opinion is not always—I think not often—needed for fullness and perfection of love.

Look back. Look back at me." Richard Armitage spoke this line in the movie North and South as he watched Miss Hale drive away in a carriage.

I do not look on self-indulgent, sensual people as worthy of my hatred; I simply look upon them with contempt for their poorness of character.

Trust a girl of sixteen for knowing well if she is pretty; concerning her plainness she may be ignorant.

How am I to dress up in my finery, and go off and away to smart parties, after the sorrow I have seen today?

There is always a pleasure in unravelling a mystery, in catching at the gossamer clue which will guide to certainty.

..still to have loved her without return would have lifted you higher than all those, be they who they may, that have ever known her to love.

But I was right. I think that must be an hereditary quality, for my father says he is scarcely ever wrong.

If they came sorrowing, and wanting sympathy in a complicated trouble like the present, then they would be felt as a shadow in all these houses of intimate acquaintances, not friends

Your husband this morning! Mine tonight! What do you take him for?' 'A man' smiled Cynthia. 'And therefore, if you won't let me call him changeable, I'll coin a word and call him consolable.

Don’t be afraid,” she said, coldly, “ as far as love may go she may be worthy of you. It must have taken a good deal to overcome her pride. Don’t be afraid, John.

Did I ever say an engagement was an elephant, madam?

Out of the way! We are in the throes of an exceptional emergency! This is no occassion for sport- there is lace at stake!" (Ms. Pole)

Nay, nay!” said the Squire. “It’s not so easy to break one’s heart. Sometimes I’ve wished it were. But one has to go on living—‘all the appointed days,’ as is said in the Bible.

He is my first olive: let me make a face while I swallow it.

Yet it was very difficult to separate her interpretation, and keep it distinct from his meaning.

Come! Poor little heart! Be cheery and brave. We'll be a great deal to one another, if we are thrown off and left desolate.

It seems strange to think, that what gives us most hope for the future should be called Dolores, said Margaret.

Only you're right in saying she's too good an opinion of herself to think of you. The saucy jade! I should like to know where she'd find a better!

Oh dear! A drunken infidel weaver! said Mr. Hale to himself.

She had a fierce pleasure in the idea of telling Margaret unwelcome truths, in the shape of performance of duty.

Thinking has, many a time, made me sad, darling; but doing never did in all my life....My precept is, do something, my sister, do good if you can; but at any rate, do something.

Ask, and it shall be given until you. That is no vain or untried promise, Ruth!

A little credulity helps one on through life very smoothly — better than always doubting and doubting and seeing difficulties and disagreeables in everything.

If she lives, she shall be my wedded wife. If she dies--mother, I can't speak of what I shall feel if she dies." His voice was choked in his throat.

He swallowed down the dry choking sobs which had been heaving up from his heart hitherto ...

Your husband this morning! Mine tonight! What do you take him for?''A man' smiled Cynthia. 'And therefore, if you won't let me call him changeable, I'll coin a word and call him consolable.

How easy it is to judge rightly after one sees what evil comes from judging wrongly.

Many a one has been comforted in their sorrow by seeing a good dish come upon the table.

Nature felt no change, and was ever young.