Elizabeth Gaskell Quotes

He shrank from hearing Margaret's very name mentioned; he, while he blamed her—while he was jealous of her—while he renounced her—he loved her sorely, in spite of himself. He dreamt of her; he dreamt...

He went along the crowded streets mechanically, winding in and out among the people, but never seeing them,—almost sick with longing for that one half-hour—that one brief space of time when she clung...

Honi soit qui mal y pense.

I believe that this suffering, which Miss Hale says is impressed on the countenances of the people of Milton, is but the natural punishment of dishonestly-enjoyed pleasure, at some former period of th...

I cannot stand objections. They make me so undecided.

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

I know you despise me; allow me to say, it is because you don't understand me

I may be the Cinderella to put on the slipper after all.' Margaret

I reckon, if they heard him, they'd tell him (if I cotched 'em one by one), he might go back and get what he could for his work, even if it weren't so much as they ordered.

I remember Miss Bronte once telling me that it was a saying round about Haworth, Keep a stone in thy pocket seven year; turn it, and keep it seven year longer, that it may be ever ready to thine hand...

I sometimes think he's half a woman himself, he spends so much money and is so unreasonable.

I suppose you are not musical,' said Fanny, 'as I see no piano.''I am fond of hearing good music; I cannot play well myself; and papa and mamma don't care much about it; so we sold our old piano when...

If a wish could have transported her, she would have gone off; just for one day.

If she could have anticipated them, how she would have shrunk away and hid herself from the coming time! And yet day by day had, of itself, and by itself, been very endurable — small, keen, bright lit...

If the world was full of perplexing problems she would trust, and only ask to see the one step needful for the hour.

In a few minutes tea was brought. Very delicate was the china, very old the plate, very thin the bread-and-butter, and very small the lumps of sugar. Sugar was evidently Mrs. Jamieson's favourite econ...

In short, Miss Hale, it is very evident that your informant found a pretty ready listener to all the slander he chose to utter against the masters,' said Mr. Thornton, in an offended tone.

It is well for us that we live at the present time, when everybody is logical and consistent.

Jem had given it to him to bring to her; so it was safe enough; or, if it was not, why she should be glad never to set eyes on it again, for she could not abide fire-arms, they were so apt to shoot pe...

Large houses are still occupied, while spinners’ and weavers’ cottages stand empty, because the families that once filled them are obliged to live in rooms or cellars. Carriages still roll along the s...