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100 Famous Quotes By Thomas Hardy, The Author Of Tess Of The D'Urbervilles

Famous As: Novelist & Poet
Born On: June 2, 1840
Died On: January 11, 1928
Born In: Stinsford, Dorset, England
Died At Age: 87
Without a doubt, Thomas Hardy was one of the most accomplished and admired Victorian English novelists and poets who came up with the legendary English novels, ‘Tess of the D’Ubervilles’, ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’, ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ and ‘Jude the Obscure’. Most of his novels revolved around tragic characters struggling against their passions and social circumstances, set in the backdrop of semi-fictional region of Wessex. Though Hardy is best remembered today as a novelist, he primarily considered himself a poet first. Despite this, his first collection of poem came in only in 1898 as ‘Wessex Poems’. Though the poems were not well received then, it was later that Hardy’s poetry cast an important influence on the 1950s and 1960s poets. In his works, Hardy was highly critical of much in Victorian society, focusing more on a declining rural society. He mostly used a traditionalist technique and explored a fatalist outlook against the dark rugged landscape. Just as his novels and poetry, Hardy’s quotes are equally famous and popular. They touch various genres of life, from love to religion, time to travel and so on and give a new perspective to life.  Browse through this section and explore quotes by Thomas Hardy.
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Though a good deal is too strange to be believed, nothing is too strange to have happened.

Though a good deal is too strange to be believed, nothing is too strange to have happened.

Thomas Hardy
They spoke very little of their mutual feeling; pretty phrases and warm expressions being probably unnecessary between such tried friends.

They spoke very little of their mutual feeling; pretty phrases and warm expressions being probably unnecessary between such tried friends.

Thomas Hardy
A strong woman who recklessly throws away her strength, she is worse than a weak woman who has never had any strength to throw away.

A strong woman who recklessly throws away her strength, she is worse than a weak woman who has never had any strength to throw away.

Thomas Hardy
Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain.

Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain.

Thomas Hardy
Beauty lay not in the thing, but in what the thing symbolized.

Beauty lay not in the thing, but in what the thing symbolized.

Thomas Hardy
People go on marrying because they can't resist natural forces, although many of them may know perfectly well that they are possibly buying a month's pleasure with a life's discomfort.

People go on marrying because they can't resist natural forces, although many of them may know perfectly well that they are possibly buying a month's pleasure with a life's discomfort.

Thomas Hardy
It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.

It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.

Thomas Hardy
Love is a possible strength in an actual weakness.

Love is a possible strength in an actual weakness.

Thomas Hardy
Did it never strike your mind that what every woman says, some women may feel?

Did it never strike your mind that what every woman says, some women may feel?

Thomas Hardy
But no one came. Because no one ever does.

But no one came. Because no one ever does.

Thomas Hardy
Ladies know what to guard against, because they read novels that tell them of these tricks…

Ladies know what to guard against, because they read novels that tell them of these tricks…

Thomas Hardy
Why is it that a woman can see from a distance what a man cannot see close?

Why is it that a woman can see from a distance what a man cannot see close?

Thomas Hardy
And at home by the fire, whenever you look up there I shall be— and whenever I look up, there will be you.
 -Gabriel Oak

And at home by the fire, whenever you look up there I shall be— and whenever I look up, there will be you. -Gabriel Oak

Thomas Hardy
If an offense come out of the truth, better is it that the offense come than that the truth be concealed.

If an offense come out of the truth, better is it that the offense come than that the truth be concealed.

Thomas Hardy
I shall do one thing in this life - one thing certain - that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die.

I shall do one thing in this life - one thing certain - that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die.

Thomas Hardy
The beauty or ugliness of a character lay not only in its achievements, but in its aims and impulses; its true history lay, not among things done, but among things willed.

The beauty or ugliness of a character lay not only in its achievements, but in its aims and impulses; its true history lay, not among things done, but among things willed.

Thomas Hardy
A man's silence is wonderful to listen to.

A man's silence is wonderful to listen to.

Thomas Hardy
...our impulses are too strong for our judgement sometimes

...our impulses are too strong for our judgement sometimes

Thomas Hardy
Well, what I mean is that I shouldn't mind being a bride at a wedding, if I could be one without having a husband.

Well, what I mean is that I shouldn't mind being a bride at a wedding, if I could be one without having a husband.

Thomas Hardy
You have never loved me as I love you--never--never! Yours is not a passionate heart--your heart does not burn in a flame! You are, upon the whole, a sort of fay, or sprite-- not a woman!

You have never loved me as I love you--never--never! Yours is not a passionate heart--your heart does not burn in a flame! You are, upon the whole, a sort of fay, or sprite-- not a woman!

Thomas Hardy
This hobble of being alive is rather serious, don’t you think so?

This hobble of being alive is rather serious, don’t you think so?

Thomas Hardy
So each had a private little sun for her soul to bask in; some dream, some affection, some hobby, or at least some remote and distant hope....

So each had a private little sun for her soul to bask in; some dream, some affection, some hobby, or at least some remote and distant hope....

Thomas Hardy
She was of the stuff of which great men's mothers are made. She was indispensable to high generation, feared at tea-parties, hated in shops, and loved at crises.

She was of the stuff of which great men's mothers are made. She was indispensable to high generation, feared at tea-parties, hated in shops, and loved at crises.

Thomas Hardy
Sometimes I shrink from your knowing what I have felt for you, and sometimes I am distressed that all of it you will never know.

Sometimes I shrink from your knowing what I have felt for you, and sometimes I am distressed that all of it you will never know.

Thomas Hardy
My eyes were dazed by you for a little, and that was all.

My eyes were dazed by you for a little, and that was all.

Thomas Hardy
I agree to the conditions, Angel; because you know best what my punishment ought to be; only - only - don't make it more than I can bear!

I agree to the conditions, Angel; because you know best what my punishment ought to be; only - only - don't make it more than I can bear!

Thomas Hardy
Remember that the best and greatest among mankind are those who do themselves no worldly good. Every successful man is more or less a selfish man. The devoted fail...

Remember that the best and greatest among mankind are those who do themselves no worldly good. Every successful man is more or less a selfish man. The devoted fail...

Thomas Hardy
Don't think of what's past!

Don't think of what's past!" said she. "I am not going to think outside of now. Why should we! Who knows what tomorrow has in store?

Thomas Hardy
You overrate my capacity of love. I don't posess half the warmth of nature you believe me to have. An unprotected childhood in a cold world has beaten gentleness out of me.

You overrate my capacity of love. I don't posess half the warmth of nature you believe me to have. An unprotected childhood in a cold world has beaten gentleness out of me.

Thomas Hardy
We colour and mould according to the wants within us whatever our eyes bring in.

We colour and mould according to the wants within us whatever our eyes bring in.

Thomas Hardy