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100 Notable Quotes By Daphne Du Maurier That Make Her Timeless

Famous As: English Novelist, Biographer and Playwright
Born On: May 13, 1907
Died On: April 19, 1989
Born In: London, England
Died At Age: 81
Daphne Du Maurier was an English writer and playwright, who become one of the most-well known literary figures of the 20th century. Maurier was born in a highly connected family, her mother being the actress Muriel Beaumont and father, the actor manager Sir Gerald Du Maurier. The connections of her family made it possible for her to get into the world of literature, however it must be said that it was only through her own prowess that she became a world renowned author of great repute. After writing for a while for a magazine named ‘Bystander’, she published her first novel ‘The Loving Spirit’ in 1931. Most of her books were based on love stories that mostly had a happy ending. That was probably a big reason why her novels and plays gained a lot of popularity. Some of her most famous works, which went on to become cult classics and are read even today are the novels ‘Rebecca and Jamaica Inn’, while the short stories ‘Don’t Look Now’ and ‘The Birds’ are also considered to be among her finest works. Her work, thoughts and writings are still read widely. Here are some of the most profound quotes from the life, times and works of Daphne Du Maurier that you would surely enjoy. 
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But luxury has never appealed to me, I like simple things, books, being alone, or with somebody who understands.

But luxury has never appealed to me, I like simple things, books, being alone, or with somebody who understands.

Daphne du Maurier
Women want love to be a novel. Men, a short story.

Women want love to be a novel. Men, a short story.

Daphne du Maurier
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

Daphne du Maurier
Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind.

Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind.

Daphne du Maurier
I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.

I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.

Daphne du Maurier
I wish I was a woman of about thirty-six dressed in black satin with a string of pearls.

I wish I was a woman of about thirty-six dressed in black satin with a string of pearls.

Daphne du Maurier
I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone comes a moment of trial. We all of us have our particular devil who rides us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end.

I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone comes a moment of trial. We all of us have our particular devil who rides us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end.

Daphne du Maurier
Men are simpler than you imagine my sweet child. But what goes on in the twisted, tortuous minds of women would baffle anyone.

Men are simpler than you imagine my sweet child. But what goes on in the twisted, tortuous minds of women would baffle anyone.

Daphne du Maurier
Either you go to America with Mrs. Van Hopper or you come home to Manderley with me.

Either you go to America with Mrs. Van Hopper or you come home to Manderley with me." "Do you mean you want a secretary or something?" "No, I'm asking you to marry me, you little fool.

Daphne du Maurier
Writers should be read, but neither seen nor heard.

Writers should be read, but neither seen nor heard.

Daphne du Maurier
We're not meant for happiness, you and I.

We're not meant for happiness, you and I.

Daphne du Maurier
I have no talent for making new friends, but oh such genius for fidelity to old ones.

I have no talent for making new friends, but oh such genius for fidelity to old ones.

Daphne du Maurier
Because I want to; because I must; because now and forever more this is where I belong to be.

Because I want to; because I must; because now and forever more this is where I belong to be.

Daphne du Maurier
There is no going back in life. There is no return. No second chance.

There is no going back in life. There is no return. No second chance.

Daphne du Maurier
...the routine of life goes on, whatever happens, we do the same things, go through the little performance of eating, sleeping, washing. No crisis can break through the crust of habit.

...the routine of life goes on, whatever happens, we do the same things, go through the little performance of eating, sleeping, washing. No crisis can break through the crust of habit.

Daphne du Maurier
It wouldn't make for sanity would it, living with the devil.

It wouldn't make for sanity would it, living with the devil.

Daphne du Maurier
Come and see us if you feel like it,' she said. 'I always expect people to ask themselves. Life is too short to send out invitations.

Come and see us if you feel like it,' she said. 'I always expect people to ask themselves. Life is too short to send out invitations.

Daphne du Maurier
I believe there is a theory that men and women emerge finer and stronger after suffering, and that to advance in this or any world we must endure ordeal by fire.

I believe there is a theory that men and women emerge finer and stronger after suffering, and that to advance in this or any world we must endure ordeal by fire.

Daphne du Maurier
Will you look into my eyes and tell me that you love me now?

Will you look into my eyes and tell me that you love me now?

Daphne du Maurier
The point is, life has to be endured, and lived. But how to live it is the problem.

The point is, life has to be endured, and lived. But how to live it is the problem.

Daphne du Maurier
I wondered why it was that places are so much lovelier when one is
alone.

I wondered why it was that places are so much lovelier when one is alone.

Daphne du Maurier
A dreamer, I walked enchanted, and nothing held me back.

A dreamer, I walked enchanted, and nothing held me back.

Daphne du Maurier
Every moment was a precious thing, having in it the essence of finality.

Every moment was a precious thing, having in it the essence of finality.

Daphne du Maurier
Time will mellow it, make it a moment for laughter. But now it was not funny, now I did not laugh. It was not the future, it was the present. It was too vivid and too real.

Time will mellow it, make it a moment for laughter. But now it was not funny, now I did not laugh. It was not the future, it was the present. It was too vivid and too real.

Daphne du Maurier
Boredom is a pleasing antidote for fear

Boredom is a pleasing antidote for fear

Daphne du Maurier
Why this man should love that woman, what queer chemical mix-up in our blood draws us to one another, who can tell?

Why this man should love that woman, what queer chemical mix-up in our blood draws us to one another, who can tell?

Daphne du Maurier
I had build up false pictures in my mind and sat before them. I had never had the courage to demand the truth.

I had build up false pictures in my mind and sat before them. I had never had the courage to demand the truth.

Daphne du Maurier
The moment of crisis had come, and I must face it. My old fears, my diffidence, my shyness, my hopeless sense of inferiority, must be conquered now and thrust aside. If I failed now I should fail forever.

The moment of crisis had come, and I must face it. My old fears, my diffidence, my shyness, my hopeless sense of inferiority, must be conquered now and thrust aside. If I failed now I should fail forever.

Daphne du Maurier
We are all ghosts of yesterday, and the phantom of tomorrow awaits us alike in sunshine or in shadow, dimly perceived at times, never entirely lost.

We are all ghosts of yesterday, and the phantom of tomorrow awaits us alike in sunshine or in shadow, dimly perceived at times, never entirely lost.

Daphne du Maurier
I held out my arms to him and he came to me like a child.

I held out my arms to him and he came to me like a child.

Daphne du Maurier