Fine Lady Quotes

• None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.

  Jane Austen

  Women, Equality, Water

  "Persuasion". Book by Jane Austen, www.theguardian.com. 1817.

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• The perfect woman, you see [is] a working-woman; not an idler; not a fine lady; but one who [uses] her hands and her head and her heart for the good of others.

  Thomas Hardy

  Heart, Hands, Perfect

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• A fine lady is a squirrel-headed thing, with small airs and small notions; about as applicable to the business of life as a pair of tweezers to the clearing of a forest.

  George Eliot

  Squirrels, Air, Delicacy

  George Eliot (1866). “Felix Holt: The Radical”, p.33

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• A fine lady; by which term I wish to express the result of that perfect education in taste and manner, down to every gesture, which heaven forbid that I, professing to be a poet, should undervalue. It is beautiful, and therefore I welcome it in the name of the author of all beauty. I value it so highly that I would fain see it extend not merely from Belgravia to the tradesman's villa, but thence, as I believe it one day will, to the laborer's hovel and the needlewoman's garret.

  Charles Kingsley

  Beautiful, Believe, Names

  Charles Kingsley (1862). “Alton Locke, Tailor and Poet: An Autobiograhpy”, p.117

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• We must suit the flattery to the mind and taste of the recipient. We do not put essences into hogsheads, nor porter into phials. Delicate minds may be disgusted by compliments that would please a grosser intellect; as some fine ladies who would be shocked at the idea of a dram will not refuse a liqueur.

  Charles Caleb Colton

  Essence, Ideas, Mind

  Charles Caleb Colton (1821). “Lacon: or, Many things in few words”, p.190

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• I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.

  Jane Austen

  Strength, Hate, Women

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• A display of indifference to all the actions and passions of mankind was not supposed to be such a distinguished quality at that time, I think, as I have observed it to be considered since. I have known it very fashionable indeed. I have seen it displayed with such success, that I have encountered some fine ladies and gentlemen who might as well have been born caterpillars.

  Charles Dickens

  Passion, Thinking, Gentleman

  Charles Dickens (1850). “The Personal History of David Copperfield”, p.371

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• I can see you are a fine lady, but this boy is randy as a goat around you and it's plain to see. If he seeks the joys of wedded bliss, he can wed you. Without a weddin' he'll be havin' no bliss.

  Karen Marie Moning

  Boys, Joy, Goats

  Karen Marie Moning (2012). “The Highlander Series 7-Book Bundle”, p.459, Dell

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• Then sail, my fine lady, on the billowing wave - The water below is as dark as the grave, And maybe you'll sink in your little blue boat - It's hope, and hope only, that keeps us afloat

  Margaret Atwood

  Dark, Blue, Water

  Margaret Atwood (2014). “The Penelopiad”, p.38, Faber & Faber

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• I'm as true a Protestant, in sooth, as any fine lady that walks into church, but it's not wrong to turn sometimes to the good St. Nicholas.

  Mary Mapes Dodge

  Church, Sometimes, Fine

  Mary Mapes Dodge (1875). “Hans Brinker: Or, The Silver Skates, a Story of Life in Holland”, p.59

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