Elizabeth Gaskell - People Quotes

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Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.

Elizabeth Gaskell
I do not look on self-indulgent, sensual people as worthy of my hatred; I simply look upon them with contempt for their poorness of character.

Elizabeth Gaskell
People may flatter themselves just as much by thinking that their faults are always present to other people's minds, as if they believe that the world is always contemplating their individual charms and virtues.

Elizabeth Gaskell
But Margaret went less abroad, among machinery and men; saw less of power in its public effect, and, as it happened, she was thrown with one or two of those who, in all measures affecting masses of people, must be acute sufferers for the good of many. The question always is, has everything been done to make the sufferings of these exceptions as small as possible?

Elizabeth Gaskell
What other people may think of the rightness or wrongness is nothing in comparison to my own deep knowledge, my innate conviction that it was wrong.

Elizabeth Gaskell
I do try to say, God's will be done, sir, said the Squire, looking up at Mr. Gibson for the first time, and speaking with more life in his voice; but it's harder to be resigned than happy people think.

Elizabeth Gaskell
Errands of mercy — errands of sin — did you ever think where all the thousands of people you daily meet are bound?

Elizabeth Gaskell
Mr. Thornton felt that in this influx no one was speaking to Margaret, and was restless under this apparent neglect. But he never went near her himself; he did not look at her. Only, he knew what she was doing — or not doing — better than anyone else in the room. Margaret was so unconscious of herself, and so much amused by watching other people, that she never thought whether she was left unnoticed or not.

Elizabeth Gaskell
Like all energetic people, the more he had to do the more time he seemed to find.

Elizabeth Gaskell