Penelope Quotes

“Experience is the best teacher.”
― Penelope Douglas, Bully

“He murmured her name, tenderly taking her face in his hands. “I love you,” he said, his voice low and fervent. “I love you with everything I am, everything I’ve been, and everything I hope to be.”

“I love you with my past, and I love you for my future.” He bent forward and kissed her, once, softly, on the lips. “I love you for the children we’ll have and for the years we’ll have together. I love you for every one of my smiles, and even more, for every one of your smiles.”
― Julia Quinn, Romancing Mister Bridgerton

“She tried to remind herself that beauty was only skin deep, but that didn't offer any helpful excuses when she was berating herself for never knowing what to say to people. There was nothing more depressing than an ugly girl with no personality.”
― Julia Quinn, Romancing Mister Bridgerton

“Penelope

In the pathway of the sun,
In the footsteps of the breeze,
Where the world and sky are one,
He shall ride the silver seas,
He shall cut the glittering wave.
I shall sit at home, and rock;
Rise, to heed a neighbor's knock;
Brew my tea, and snip my thread;
Bleach the linen for my bed.
They will call him brave.”
― Dorothy Parker

“I can’t change the past, Tate. I wish I could, because I’d go back and relive every day that I existed without you, and I’d make sure that you smiled.” My eyes burned with regret, and I saw the pools in her beautiful blues, too. “Every minute of my future belongs to you.”
― Penelope Douglas, Until You

“Those that study particular sciences, and neglect philosophy, are like Penelope's wooers, that make love to the waiting women.”
― Aristippus

“Aristippus said: That those that studied particular sciences, and neglected philosophy, were like Penelope's wooers, that made love to the waiting women.”
― Francis Bacon, The Collected Works of Sir Francis Bacon (Unexpurgated Edition)

“Men's lives are short .
The hard man and his cruelties will be
Cursed behind his back and mocked in death.
But one whose heart and ways are kind - of him
strangers will bear report to the whole wide world,
and distant men will praise him.

- Penelope in Robert Fitzgerald trans. THE ODYSSEY (364)”
― Robert Fitzgerald, The Odyssey

“What did it matter anyway that she was so much lovelier than the other girls when Henry was so blind.”
― Anna Godbersen, Rumors

“The gods granted us misery, in jealousy over the thought that we two, always together, should enjoy our youth, and then come to the threshold of old age.”
― Homer, The Odyssey

“She seemed to fit into the air like a jewel in its crown.”
― Madeline Miller, Circe

“Do you always make beautiful things for those you are angry with?”
― Madeline Miller, Circe

“Because I want to be remembered.”
― Sherman Alexie, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

“Londoners, with their noses pressed to cold windows, smiled, for a mid-summer storm was raging across England. Zues had blessed their land, taking away the bright happy sun and replacing it with gusty winds, lashing rain and utter misery.”
― Anya Wylde, Penelope

“Would that the dead were not dead! But there is grass that must be eaten, pellets that must be chewed, (...) holes that must be dug, sleep that must be slept. Odysseus brings not one man to shore with him. Yet he sleeps sound beside Calypso and when he wakes thinks only of Penelope.”
― Richard Adams, Watership Down

“I don't understand," Olivia said. "How did Penny sewing and unsewing make for the Trojan War?"
"Penelope was Odysseus's wife," Philippa explained. "He left her, and she sat at her loom, sewing all day, and unraveling all her work at night. For years."
"Why on earth would someone do that?" Olivia wrinkled her nose, selecting a sweet from a nearby tray. "Years? Really?"
"She was waiting for him to come home," Penelope said, meeting Michael's gaze. There was something meaningful there, and he thought she might be speaking of more than the Greek myth. Did she wait for him at night? She'd told him not to touch her... she'd pushed him away... but tonight, if he went to her, would she accept him? Would she follow the path of her namesake?
"I hope you have more exciting things to do when you are waiting for Michael to come home, Penny," Olivia teased.
Penelope smiled, but there was something in her gaze that he did not like, something akin to sadness. He blamed himself for it. Before him, she was happier. Before him, she smiled and laughed and played games with her sisters without reminder of her unfortunate fate.
He stood to meet her as she approached the settee. "I would never leave my Penelope for years." He said, "I would be too afraid that someone would snatch her away." His mother-in-law sighed audibly from across the room as his new sisters laughed. He lifted one of Penelope's hands in his and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. "Penelope and Odysseus were never my favored mythic couple, anyway. I was always more partial to Persephone and Hades."
Penelope smiled at him, and the room was suddenly much much warmer. "You think they were a happier couple?" she asked, wry.
He met her little smile, enjoying himself as he lowered his voice. "I think six months of feast is better than twenty years of famine." She blushed, and he resisted the urge to kiss her there, in the drawing room, hang propriety and ladies' delicate sensibilities.”
― Sarah MacLean, A Rogue by Any Other Name

“But Athena had no babe, and she never would. Her only love was reason. And that has never been the same as reason.”
― Madeline Miller, Circe

“And as she flew away she shouted to the masses down below, JUST BE YOURSELF, that's unusual enough, and you will steal the show!" -Penelope, the Grumpy Pony”
― Angela DeVere Taylor

“Don't be alarmed if this isn't going anywhere. Don't expect theories, reliable facts or conclusions. Don't take any of this too seriously. That's what universities are for, and theses, and academic studies. Personally, I like cafés, bars and living rooms. Not to mention comfortable cushions. So nice and cosy.”
― Brenda Lozano, Loop

“I may never know
if you are my Theseus or Odysseus
but call me Penelope for my heart
remains steadfast in its fidelity, ' (p. 46)”
― Tessa van Vliet

“During the Peloponnesian War a brave Athenian soldier fell desperately in love with the daughter of his commander. He asked for her hand in marriage but she had to refuse. Having dedicated her life to the goddess Selene, she had vowed not to marry until an evil power called the Atrox was vanquished. The soldier swore to destroy the dark force and free his beloved from her vow.
He traveled day and night until he came to the western side of the river Oceanus. There he passed through groves of barren willows and poplars until he found the cave that led to Tartarus, the land of the dead. He entered it, and when he reached the impenetrable darkness, demons swarmed around him.
A towering black cloud surged toward him. He knew it was the Atrox. But instead of trembling with fear, he became intoxicated with his own bravery; he alone had the courage to face the Atrox. If he destroyed it, he would not only win his bride, but also become as powerful as any of the immortal gods.
Pride overtook him as he shot his arrow. A terrible scream pierced the misty air. Then the unimaginable happened. The Atrox surrendered to him and humbly offered a gift of gold ankle bands in tribute.
The young man, eager to return to his love and flaunt his victory, clasped the heavy metal bands around his legs, but as he did, flames ravaged his body and the evil he had set out to destroy consumed him. The Atrox had tricked him and given him not ornaments but shackles, condemning him to an eternity of servitude. Demons carried him away from the underworld and cast him out from Earth.
Over the centuries many people have seen the young soldier in the night sky and thought of him only a falling star. He wanders the universe alone, unable to return to Earth unless summoned by his master, the Atrox.”
― Lynne Ewing, Moon Demon

“Moonlight overwhelmed her. The milky glow spun around her, becoming brighter and brighter. Her chest ached with its unbearable beauty, and at the same time something pure and longed for penetrated her being, flowing through her with pain and pleasure. She gasped at the strength of this newfound power and closed her eyes, but when she tried to open them again, another force kept them shut. Even with them closed, she could sense the terrible brightness of the moon’s silver radiance.
For a while she lost consciousness underwater or thought she had passed out. When she came to, she was floating. She blinked and stared up. The moon overhead seemed close enough to kiss. The air quivered with its magic. She had a vision, and in it Selene had revealed sacred mysteries, but then the goddess had given her something to drink to make her forget.
Penelope was certain it had only been a dream, but the sweet taste of honey, mint, and barley meal remained in her mouth, and a lingering feeling of terror and anguish still filled her heart. What had Selene told her? She tried to recall, but the last hazy fragments broke apart and, like a dream, floated into unconsciousness.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“My need for revenge forced me to turn to the Atrox. It's your fault."
"It's not too late." Penelope tried to touch Taemestra, but she pulled away. "We can go to the temple of Selene and you can be cleansed."
"Why would I want that?" Taemestra asked. "Death no longer limits me."
"But you're a servant, a slave to—" Penelope's stomach knotted with grief.
"My master," Taemestra cut in. "The Atrox gave me immortality in exchange for Hector. It was an easy decision. If I can't have him, no one will."
"But why would it want Hector?" Penelope asked, stunned.
"I've sealed his fate." Taemestra couldn't stop smiling. She seemed to enjoy the misery she was causing Penelope.
"But if you love him—" Penelope stopped. "You couldn't have loved him, but I do." Her words surprised her.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“Penelope shuddered and swirled around. Something dangerous lurked in the raging fire. Then a black shadow wrapped around her. The foggy shape of a man stood beside her, its eyes wicked black points, its strong arrogant face challenging her.
“So you’re the one sent to stop me.” It spoke with a proud voice and stroked her shoulder.
She winced and pulled away, disgust rushing through her, but even as she hated its touch, it also awakened a forbidden hunger, and a pleasant thrill traveled up her spine.
The Atrox smiled as if it knew her secret thoughts. Too late she realized she had let down her guard. It was in her mind, sensing her revulsion and desire. Its grin filled with hideous confidence.
Fervent flames shot up in celebration, howling with desire, the swirling vortex slapping around her. Her heart throbbed, its beat slowing. The cold became unendurable and she began to cry, tears freezing on her cheeks. When she could bear it no more, the pain changed and burst through her veins with a sweet ache, filling her with deliciously evil and dangerous longings. She saw new possibilities. Why not give in and join the Atrox? Why continue the struggle?
The conflagration hissed louder, her flesh needing its touch. Shadow hands fondled her back, the caress intolerably arousing. She surrendered and stretched out her arms. But as she ran her hands over her body, her fingers touched the talisman, and the trance broke. She recoiled and tried to step away from the fire. The blaze grabbed her and drew her back, its soft swelling roar trying to comfort her.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“I love you, Penelope,” he whispered. “Be with me tonight.”
“I love you, too.” She watched his face, entranced by the warmth of his body and the rushing sensations within her own. Her desire was strong and suddenly free.
He swung her into his arms and carried her through a labyrinth of halls and into a room. Small flickering lamp flames cast a golden light across the walls. Incense perfumed the air.
He set her gently on the bed, the many pillows soft beneath her.
She set the moonstone on a small table beside her, then turned back to Hector and took him into her arms.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“Penelope.” The familiar voice spoke her name, bringing back sweet memories of childhood.
“Mother,” she whispered, hot tears rushing to her eyes.
Chrysippus placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Her head whipped around. For the briefest moment she had thought her mother stood beside her; then she turned back to the stone and placed it against her cheek, listening, feeling its caress of love.
“Hera imprisoned me within the moonstone,” her mother whispered. “But Zeus in his pity and love allowed me to remain alive inside until I could speak with you again, on the day you needed me most.”
“Then tell me what to do,” Penelope begged.
“Things aren’t always as they appear,” her mother said soothingly. “You must rely on your intuition and trust the greater power inside you to know what to do. You are the daughter of Zeus and have been given an important destiny.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“You’re my successor. You’re to become the mentor of the Daughters of the Moon. That’s why the Atrox has been trying to stop you.”
Penelope felt certain she had misunderstood.
Then Pandia handed her a small vial. “This is an elixir from Selene, to counteract your aging. The potion must be taken during the full moon for its strongest effect, but it can be used at other times. The liquid will regenerate,” Pandia explained. “Now I have much to tell you before you leave for Rome.”
“Rome?” Penelope felt suddenly dizzy.
“Yes,” Pandia went on. “The Daughters there need you. You will be their Magna Mater, their guardian mother.”
Suddenly Penelope felt a light from her heart reaching through the ages and connecting with all the Daughters who would come to her, including the one who would one day take her place over two thousand years from now on a continent not yet discovered in a city called Queen of the Angels. The daughters would call her Maggie, for Magna Mater.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman