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Quotes from Fiction

Novels have always been a quarry for quotations. A line is lifted out of three hundred pages, printed over a sunset, and passed around until nobody remembers which book it came from — or whether it came from a book at all.

This page does the opposite. Every quotation below was checked word for word against the original text of the work, and every one carries its book, its year and its chapter — act and scene, where it comes from a play. Where the popular version of a line differs from what the author actually wrote, the note on the quote’s own page says so, and there are more of those than you would expect: roughly half the lines we tested failed on first check.

All of these works are in the public domain, which is why we can quote them at length and why you can go and check us. Where a line reaches English through a translator, the translation is named — Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Kafka and Flaubert say noticeably different things in different hands, and a quotation that ignores this is only half a citation.

Quotes from novels and plays

To be too conscious is an illnessTo be too conscious is an illnessFyodor DostoevskyWhat do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult…George EliotListen to them—the children of the night. What music they make!Listen to them—the children of the night. What music they make!Bram StokerWhen you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truthWhen you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truthArthur Conan DoyleShe was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garmentShe was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume…Kate ChopinI will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the…Charles DickensRespect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be.Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be.Leo TolstoyI wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul.I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my…Charles DickensThese violent delights have violent endsThese violent delights have violent endsWilliam ShakespeareAbove all, don’t lie to yourself.Above all, don’t lie to yourself.Fyodor DostoevskyIt is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a…Jane AustenIn the little world in which children have their existence whosoever brings them up, there is nothing so finely perceived and so finely felt as injustice.In the little world in which children have their existence whosoever brings them up,…Charles DickensI am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent willI am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human…Charlotte BrontëWhenever you feel like criticizing anyone … just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone … just remember that all the people in…F. Scott FitzgeraldThere is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and…Oscar WildeTo die will be an awfully big adventure.To die will be an awfully big adventure.J. M. BarriePlease, sir, I want some more.Please, sir, I want some more.Charles DickensThis above all: to thine own self be trueThis above all: to thine own self be trueWilliam ShakespeareThere is nothing—absolute nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boatsThere is nothing—absolute nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boatsKenneth GrahameSuffering has been stronger than all other teachingSuffering has been stronger than all other teachingCharles DickensIt is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins…Arthur Conan DoyleThe passage from the narrow to the larger world is stormy.The passage from the narrow to the larger world is stormy.Rabindranath TagoreThough this be madness, yet there is method in’t.Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.William ShakespeareIf you look for perfection, you will never be satisfied.If you look for perfection, you will never be satisfied.Leo TolstoyWhat is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to…Fyodor DostoevskyHuman speech is like a cracked tin kettle, on which we hammer out tunes to make bears dance when we long to move the starsHuman speech is like a cracked tin kettle, on which we hammer out tunes…Gustave FlaubertI would always rather be happy than dignifiedI would always rather be happy than dignifiedCharlotte BrontëI have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in…Jane AustenI was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of…F. Scott FitzgeraldFor I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother me.For I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother me.A. A. MilneBehind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.Oscar WildeI loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against…Charles DickensThere are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in…William ShakespeareThou must keep in view what thou art, striving to know thyself, the most difficult thing to know that the mind can imagineThou must keep in view what thou art, striving to know thyself, the most…Miguel de CervantesAll human wisdom is summed up in these two words,—’Wait and hope.’All human wisdom is summed up in these two words,—’Wait and hope.’Alexandre DumasNo one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man’sNo one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that…H. G. WellsWe’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.Lewis CarrollYou see, but you do not observe.You see, but you do not observe.Arthur Conan DoyleLife appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs.Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering…Charlotte BrontëThere is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others.There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at…Jane AustenWhere you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow.Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow.Frances Hodgson BurnettWho in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle!Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle!Lewis CarrollI’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.Louisa May AlcottBeware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful.Beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful.Mary ShelleyThere is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour.There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour.Charles DickensBegin at the beginning, the King said gravely, and go on till you come to the end: then stop.Begin at the beginning, the King said gravely, and go on till you come…Lewis CarrollThere is no place like home.There is no place like home.L. Frank BaumIf I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside.If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess…Frances Hodgson BurnettThey were careless people, Tom and DaisyThey were careless people, Tom and DaisyF. Scott FitzgeraldIt is not down in any map; true places never are.It is not down in any map; true places never are.Herman MelvilleIt’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make…L. M. MontgomeryHappy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.Leo TolstoyThere is nothing more deceptive than an obvious factThere is nothing more deceptive than an obvious factArthur Conan DoyleThe awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible.The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible.Fyodor DostoevskySecond to the right, and straight on till morning.Second to the right, and straight on till morning.J. M. BarrieHis soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universeHis soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universeJames JoyceIt is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever doneIt is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever…Charles DickensI know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will,…Herman MelvilleTo be, or not to be, that is the questionTo be, or not to be, that is the questionWilliam ShakespeareHuman beings can be awful cruel to one another.Human beings can be awful cruel to one another.Mark TwainTo go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s.To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in…Fyodor DostoevskyIt is not difficult to capture a fortress but it is difficult to win a campaign.It is not difficult to capture a fortress but it is difficult to win…Leo TolstoySo we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.F. Scott FitzgeraldThere is nothing stronger than those two: patience and time, they will do it allThere is nothing stronger than those two: patience and time, they will do it…Leo TolstoyI am a sick man…. I am a spiteful man.I am a sick man…. I am a spiteful man.Fyodor DostoevskyOnce you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.Once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.Margery WilliamsHeaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tearsHeaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tearsCharles DickensWhatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the sameWhatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the sameEmily BrontëAll children, except one, grow up.All children, except one, grow up.J. M. BarrieI hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in…F. Scott FitzgeraldKnow your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating…Jane AustenThe only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.Oscar WildeVanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.Jane AustenNo man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another…Nathaniel HawthorneThere is no difference between Time and any of the three dimensions of Space except that our consciousness moves along itThere is no difference between Time and any of the three dimensions of Space…H. G. WellsThe most poetical thing in the world is not being sickThe most poetical thing in the world is not being sickG. K. ChestertonAll right, then, I’ll go to hellAll right, then, I’ll go to hellMark TwainI never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read…Oscar WildeThe truth is rarely pure and never simple.The truth is rarely pure and never simple.Oscar WildeWhy, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.Lewis CarrollThe world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.Arthur Conan DoyleCall me Ishmael.Call me Ishmael.Herman MelvilleMankind was my business.Mankind was my business.Charles DickensWhat’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweetWhat’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name…William ShakespeareIt is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of viewIt is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points…George EliotI cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!Emily BrontëPain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart.Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart.Fyodor DostoevskyBeauty would save the worldBeauty would save the worldFyodor DostoevskyAnnual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness.Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness.Charles DickensWe learn from failure, not from success!We learn from failure, not from success!Bram StokerAngry people are not always wiseAngry people are not always wiseJane AustenTaking a new step, uttering a new word is what they fear most.Taking a new step, uttering a new word is what they fear most.Fyodor DostoevskyFifteen men on the dead man’s chestFifteen men on the dead man’s chestRobert Louis StevensonMarilla, isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?Marilla, isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no…L. M. MontgomeryOne morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin.One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in…Franz KafkaReal isn’t how you are made, said the Skin Horse. It’s a thing that happens to you.Real isn’t how you are made, said the Skin Horse. It’s a thing that…Margery WilliamsOne must still have chaos in one, to give birth to a dancing starOne must still have chaos in one, to give birth to a dancing starFriedrich NietzscheNothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.Mary ShelleyMen make a great outward show of their so-called freedom, but those who know their inner minds are aware of their bondage.Men make a great outward show of their so-called freedom, but those who know…Rabindranath TagoreIt was the best of times, it was the worst of timesIt was the best of times, it was the worst of timesCharles DickensI could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.Jane Austen

Lines people are sure are in these books — and aren’t

Each of these was searched for, in full, in the public-domain text of the work it is usually credited to. None of them is there.

The line Usually credited to What we found
“To love another person is to see the face of God” Victor Hugo, Les Misérables Not in the novel. The phrase comes from the 1980 stage musical, not from Hugo.
“Elementary, my dear Watson” Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes Not in any of the stories. We searched all four novels and the short-story collections — Holmes says “Elementary” and he says “my dear Watson”, never together.
“I can resist everything except temptation” Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray Wilde did write it — in the play Lady Windermere’s Fan, not in the novel.
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there” Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Not in the book. The Cheshire Cat’s actual exchange with Alice about which way to go says something close to the opposite.
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden” Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden Not in the novel. It appears in a later screen adaptation, not in Burnett’s text.
“What day is it?” “It’s today.” A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh In neither Pooh book. Like much circulating “Pooh wisdom”, it is later invention.

By author

Each author archive carries a short biography and every quotation from that writer on this site.

A. A. Milne · Alexandre Dumas · Arthur Conan Doyle · Bram Stoker · Charles Dickens · Charlotte Brontë · Emily Brontë · F. Scott Fitzgerald · Frances Hodgson Burnett · Franz Kafka · Friedrich Nietzsche · Fyodor Dostoevsky · G. K. Chesterton · George Eliot · Gustave Flaubert · H. G. Wells · Herman Melville · J. M. Barrie · James Joyce · Jane Austen · Kate Chopin · Kenneth Grahame · L. Frank Baum · L. M. Montgomery · Leo Tolstoy · Lewis Carroll · Louisa May Alcott · Margery Williams · Mark Twain · Mary Shelley · Miguel de Cervantes · Nathaniel Hawthorne · Oscar Wilde · Rabindranath Tagore · Robert Louis Stevenson · William Shakespeare