Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell quotes

I know you despise me; allow me to say, it is because you do not understand me.

— Spoken by a character · XXIV. MISTAKES CLEARED UP

Those who are happy and successful themselves are too apt to make light of the misfortunes of others.

— Mr. Thornton · Chapter LII

But the future must be met, however stern and iron it be.

But a wise parent humours the desire for independent action, so as to become the friend and adviser when his absolute rule shall cease.

— Spoken by a character · XV. MASTERS AND MEN

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

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

— Spoken by a character · XXI. THE DARK NIGHT

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

It was in itself a temptation, and to aid its efficacy came the natural sympathy for the aged parents mourning for their child, for the young man cut off in the flower of his days; and besides this, there is always a pleasure in unravelling a mystery, in catching at the gossamer clue which will guide to certainty.

People admire talent, and talk about their admiration. But they value common sense without talking about it, and often without knowing it.

But I'm clear about this, when God gives a blessing to be enjoyed, He gives it with a duty to be done; and the duty of the happy is to help the suffering to bear their woe.

— Spoken by a character · XXXVII. DETAILS CONNECTED WITH THE MURDER

A few moments may change our character for life, by giving a totally different direction to our aims and energies.

Jem replied with equal excitement--"And if you dare to injure her in the least, I will await you where no policeman can step in between. And God shall judge between us two."

"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.

— Spoken by a character · XXXIII. REQUIESCAT IN PACE

But he could not, you cannot, read the lot of those who daily pass you by in the street. How do you know the wild romances of their lives; the trials, the temptations they are even now enduring, resisting, sinking under?

The vices of the poor sometimes astound us here; but when the secrets of all hearts shall be made known, their virtues will astound us in far greater degree. Of this I am certain.

Our Lord Jesus was not above letting folk minister to Him, for He knew how happy it makes one to do aught for another. It's the happiest work on earth.

— Margaret · XXIII. THE SUB-POENA

"But sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom."

— Spoken by a character · LIV. MOLLY GIBSON'S WORTH IS DISCOVERED

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

— Cynthia · XLIII. CYNTHIA'S CONFESSION

There is nothing like wounded affection for giving poignancy to anger.

Women are queer, unreasoning creatures, and are just as likely as not to love a man who has been throwing away his affection.

— Spoken by a character · LX. ROGER HAMLEY'S CONFESSION

It is right to hope for the best about everybody, and not to expect the worst.

— Spoken by a character · X. A CRISIS