Quote

I value my own independence so highly that I can fancy no degradation greater than that of having another man perpetually directing and advising and lecturing me, or even planning too closely in any way about my actions. He might be the wisest of men, or the most powerful - I should equally rebel and resent his interference.

Elizabeth Gaskell

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Elizabeth Gaskell
Age: 54 †
Born: 1810
Born: September 29
Died: 1865
Died: January 12
Biographer
Novelist
Writer
London
England
Author of Mary Barton
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Elizabeth Cleghorn Stevenson
Mrs. Gaskell
née Stevenson
Powerful
Highly
Perpetually
Values
Equally
Interference
Action
Fancy
Degradation
Another
Planning
Resent
Might
Independence
Wisest
Even
Actions
Directing
Way
Value
Closely
Advising
Men
Greater
Rebel
Lecturing

More quotes by Elizabeth Gaskell

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But suppose it was truth double strong, it were no truth to me if I couldna take it in. I daresay there's truth in yon Latin book on your shelves but it's gibberish and no truth to me, unless I know the meaning o' the words.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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I would not trust a mouse to a woman if a man's judgment could be had.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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Yet it was very difficult to separate her interpretation, and keep it distinct from his meaning.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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He came up straight to her father, whose hands he took and wrung without a word - holding them in his for a minute or two, during which time his face, his eyes, his look, told of more sympathy than could be put into words.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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How easy it is to judge rightly after one sees what evil comes from judging wrongly!
Elizabeth Gaskell
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Margaret was not a ready lover, but where she loved she loved passionately, and with no small degree of jealousy.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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His laws once broken, His justice and the very nature of those laws bring the immutable retribution but if we turn penitently to Him, He enables us to bear our punishment with a meek and docile heart, ‘for His mercy endureth forever.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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And so she shuddered away from the threat of his enduring love. What did he mean? Had she not the power to daunt him? She would see. It was more daring than became a man to threaten her.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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If they came sorrowing, and wanting sympathy in a complicated trouble like the present, then they would be felt as a shadow in all these houses of intimate acquaintances, not friends
Elizabeth Gaskell
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A wise parent humors the desire for independent action, so as to become the friend and advisor when his absolute rule shall cease.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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I take it that 'gentleman' is a term that only describes a person in his relation to others but when we speak of him as 'a man,' we consider him not merely with regard to his fellow-men, but in relation to himself,--to life--to time--to eternity.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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What's the use of watching? A watched pot never boils.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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It seems strange to think, that what gives us most hope for the future should be called Dolores, said Margaret.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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Oh, I can't describe my home. It is home, and I can't put its charm into words
Elizabeth Gaskell
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Oh dear! A drunken infidel weaver! said Mr. Hale to himself.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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How different men were to women!
Elizabeth Gaskell
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A great matter calls her son with terms like deal, and love.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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I know you despise me allow me to say, it is because you don't understand me.
Elizabeth Gaskell
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I say Gibson, we're old friends, and you're a fool if you take anything I say as an offense. Madam your wife and I didn't hit it off the only time I ever saw her. I won't say she was silly, but I think one of us was silly, and it wasn't me!
Elizabeth Gaskell