Like the British Constitution, she owes her success in practice to her inconsistencies in principle. – Thomas Hardy
I was court-martial in my absence, and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence. – Thomas Hardy
If all hearts were open and all desires known — as they would be if people showed their souls — how many gapings, sighings, clenched fists, knotted brows, broad grins, and red eyes should we see in the market-place! – Thomas Hardy
When somebody has an enormous success in this culture, people start asking two questions, which are What are you doing now? and How are you going to beat that? And I have to say, I love the assumption that your intention is to beat yourself constantly – that youre in battle against yourself. – Elizabeth Gilbert