Far from the Madding Crowd

by Thomas Hardy

his eyes were reduced to chinks, and diverging wrinkles appeared round them, extending upon his countenance like the rays in a rudimentary sketch of the rising sun.

But what between the poor men I won't have, and the rich men who won't have me, I stand as a pelican in the wilderness!"

To the best of his judgement neither nature nor art could improve this perfect one of an imperfect many.

This debauch boded ill for that wilful and fascinating mistress whom the faithful man even now felt within him as the embodiment of all that was sweet and bright and hopeless.

I did not go to church a-Sunday, and I dropped a curse or two yesterday; so I don't want to go too far for my safety. Your next world is your next world, and not to be squandered offhand."