There is a profound loneliness in the life of a spinster. It hurts… Whenever you see couples together. You mask the pain with a smile, but you don’t deceive yourself. [to Marian]
There are only three times a gentleman’s name should be in the paper: when he’s born, when he marries, and when he dies. I assume the same holds true for women.
The only thing worse than my son marrying a servant would be my son getting a divorce from one.
Societies change. The trick is to accommodate the new without upsetting the boat.[to Agnes]
Revolutions are launched by clever people with strong views and excess energy.
Power is very seductive, I’m told.[George Russell]Suppose he’s a man of principle.[Richard Clay]It’ll just make him more expensive.[George Russell]
Persistence is the key to everything. Patience and persistence.
Once people learn that my second offer is invariably my last, they won’t, as a rule, refuse me. Over the years, I expect to save a lot more money than I am spending now.[Mr. Thorburn]
Nothing stays the same forever.
Nothing is more perilous than to overestimate your own power.
Never overestimate your own power. It’s always a mistake.[to Marian]
Never break your own moral code, for that is the soundest guide any of us can have.[to Marian]
