But marriage is one long sacrifice.... Chapter 21, Medora Manson speaking to Newland Archer

...I have always lived on contrasts! To me the only death is monotony. Beware of monotony; it's the mother of all the deadly sins.

The worst of doing one's duty was that it apparently unfitted one for doing anything else.

There are two ways to spread happiness; either be the light who shines it or be the mirror who reflects it.

What's the use of making mysteries? It only makes people want to nose 'em out.

The real marriage of true minds is for any two people to possess a sense of humor or irony pitched in exactly the same key, so that their joint glances on any subject cross like interarching searchlights.

Inkstands and tea-cups are never as full as when one upsets them.