The Moonstone

by Wilkie Collins

“Now I saw, though too late, the Folly of beginning a Work before we count the Cost, and before we judge rightly of our own Strength to go through with it.”

I think, my lady, it will be cheaper to marry her than to keep her.”

you don’t expect much from poor human nature—so don’t expect much from me.

It’s curious to note, when your mind’s anxious, how very far in the way of relief a very small joke will go.

“Fear of Danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than Danger itself,

whatever happens in a house, robbery or murder, it doesn’t matter, you must have your breakfast.

when you are old, you acquire one excellent habit. In cases where you don’t see your way clearly, you hold your tongue.

“you will see that the nature of a man’s tastes is, most times, as opposite as possible to the nature of a man’s business.

It isn’t their fault (poor wretches!) that they act first and think afterwards; it’s the fault of the fools who humour them.

what is the hardness of stone? Nothing, compared to the hardness of the unregenerate human heart!

how easy it is to be happy, if you will only be good!

The truth is, that women try marriage as a Refuge, far more numerously than they are willing to admit;

I maintain the opinion which I expressed just now. It rests, I am well aware, on a mere assumption. Pardon me for reminding you, that your opinion also rests on a mere assumption as well.”

If an order comes to me, which is own brother to an order come from Bedlam, it don’t matter. So long as I get it from my master or mistress,

Speaking as a servant, I am deeply indebted to you. Speaking as a man, I consider you to be a person whose head is full of maggots,