Harriet Quotes

“Of course, in a novel, people’s hearts break, and they die, and that is the end of it; and in a story this is very convenient. But in real life we do not die when all that makes life bright dies to us. There is a most busy and important round of eating, drinking, dressing, walking, visiting, buying, selling, talking, reading, and all that makes up what is commonly called living, yet to be gone through…”
― Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin

“You won't tell?"

"I'll add it to the box under my bed labeled 'The Secret Confession of the Immortal Pia'. Good Lord, girl, don't look so mortified. There's not actually a box.”
― Jessica Khoury, Origin

“I came to get you. I knew you'd freak out."
"But..." My head still feels like a helium balloon. "Why?"
Nick looks blank. "Because you always freak out."
I shake my head. My voice feels like I've swallowed it. "I mean, why do you care if I freak out?"

There's a long silence.

"Well," Wilbur finally bursts, "I can take a shot in the dark, if you want."
"Seriously," Nick snaps, making his fingers into a gun shape. "I'm going to take a shot in the dark in a minute and it will make contact."

Wilbur looks charmed. "Isn't he adorable?" he says fondly. "My duty as Fairy Godmother is complete, anyhoo, and I believe it's time to spread my magic dust elsewhere. So many pumpkins after all; so little time.”
― Holly Smale, Geek Girl

“Humankind above all is lazy.”
― Harriet Beecher Stowe

“You must be the best judge of your own happiness. If you prefer Mr. Martin to every other person; if you think him the most agreeable man you have ever been in company with, why should you hesitate?”
― Jane Austen, Emma

“O, because I have had only that kind of benevolence which consists in lying on a sofa, and cursing the church and clergy for not being martyrs and confessors. One can see, you know, very easily, how others ought to be martyrs.
-Augustine St. Clare”
― Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin

“No, you have to look like everyone else, then you'll get by and no one will suspect you.”
― Louise Fitzhugh

“Oranges and unicorns say the bells of St. . . .” She looked to Harriet for inspiration.
“Clunicorns?”
“Somehow I don’t think so.”
“Moonicorns.”
Sarah cocked her head to the side. “Better,” she judged.
“Spoonicorns? Zoomicorns.”
And . . . that was enough. Sarah turned back to her book. “We’re done now, Harriet.”
“Parunicorns.”
Sarah couldn’t even imagine where that one had come from. But still, she found herself humming as she read.
Oranges and lemons say the bells of St. Clements.
Meanwhile, Harriet was muttering to herself at the desk. “Pontoonicorns xyloonicorns . . .”
You owe me five farthings say the bells of St. Martins.
“Oh, oh, oh, I have it! Hughnicorns!”
Sarah froze. This she could not ignore. With great deliberation, she placed her index finger in her book to mark her place and looked up. “What did you just say?”
“Hughnicorns,” Harriet replied, as if nothing could have been more ordinary. She gave Sarah a sly look. “Named for Lord Hugh, of course. He does seem to be a frequent topic of conversation.”
― Julia Quinn, The Sum of All Kisses

“Birds can sing and fish can swim and I can do this.”
― Donna Tartt, The Little Friend

“The hardest thing about being a parent is watching your kids make mistakes. Our instinct is to protect you. But you're right, Deenie. Sometimes we have to step aside and let you make them anyway. The best we can do is be there when you mess up.”
― Lisi Harrison, Where There's a Wolf, There's a Way

“All you need to build a house, Is blood and bricks and plaster.”
― Harriet Jones

“A door has opened, and I know I’ll never get it shit again.”
― Emily Henry , Happy Place

“A door has opened, and I know I’ll never get it shut again.”
― Emily Henry, Happy Place