Bernadette

“But as to how the food is conveyed to her,” exclaimed Miss Greysteel, “no one knows for certain. Signor Tosetti believes that her cats carry it up to her.” “Such nonsense!” declared Dr Greysteel. “Whoever heard of cats doing anything useful!” “Except for staring at one in a supercilious manner,” said Strange. “That has a sort of moral usefulness, I suppose, in making one feel uncomfortable and encouraging sober reflection upon one’s imperfections.”
― Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

“We may handle even extreme opinions with impunity while our furniture, our dinner-giving, and preference for armorial bearings in our own case, link us indissolubly with the established order.”
― George Eliot, Middlemarch

“My dear Lascelles,” cried Drawlight, “what nonsense you talk! Upon my word, there is nothing in the world so easy to explain as failure – it is, after all, what every body does all the time.”
― Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

“A book is not supposed to be a mirror. It's supposed to be a door.”
― Fran Lebowitz