Quotes by Margaret Mitchell

There’s just as much money to be made in the wreck of a civilization as in the upbuilding of one.

What Melanie did was no more than all Southern girls were taught to do: to make those about them feel at ease and pleased with themselves. It was this happy feminine conspiracy which made Southern society so pleasant. Women knew that a land in which men were contented, uncontradicted, and safe in possession of unpunctured vanity was likely to be a very pleasant place for women to live. So from the cradle to the grave, women strove to make men pleased with themselves, and the satisfied men repaid lavishly with gallantry and adoration. In fact, men willingly gave the ladies everything in the world, except credit for having intelligence.Scarlett exercised the same charms as Melanie but with a studied artistry and consummate skill. The difference between the two girls lay in the fact that Melanie spoke kind and flattering words from a desire to make people happy, if only temporarily, and Scarlett never did it except to further her own aims.

It seems weve been at cross purposes, doesnt it? But its no use now. As long as there was Bonnie, there was a chance that we might be happy. I liked to think that Bonnie was you, a little girl again, before the war, and poverty had done things to you. She was so like you, and I could pet her, and spoil her, as I wanted to spoil you. But when she went, she took everything.

Fo Gawd, Miss Scarlett! Wes got ter have a doctah. Ah- Ah- Miss Scarlett, Ah doan know nuthin bout bringin babies. -Prissy

Ashley watched her go and saw her square her small shoulders as she went. And that gesture went to his heart, more than any words she had spoken.

I’ve felt that I was trying to row a heavily loaded boat in a storm. I’ve had so much trouble just trying to keep afloat that I couldn’t be bothered about things that didn’t matter, things I could part with easily and not miss, like good manners and--well, things like that. I’ve been too afraid my boat would be swamped and so I’ve dumped overboard the things that seemed least important.

Scarlett kicked the coverlet in impotent rage, trying to think of something bad enough to say.Gods nightgown! she cried at last, and felt somewhat relieved.

I want to make you faint. I will make you faint. Youve had this coming to you for years. None of the fools youve known have kissed you like this - have they? Your precious Charles or Frank or your stupid Ashley... I said your stupid Ashley. Gentlemen all - what do they know about women? What do they know about you? I know you.

You should be kissed and often, by someone who knows how.

The way to get a man interested and to hold his interest was to talk about himself, and then gradually lead the conversation around yourself—and keep it there.

Talking to Rhett was comparable only to one thing, the feeling of ease and comfort afforded by a pair of old slippers after dancing in a pair too tight.

I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken - and Id rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.

Death and taxes and childbirth. Theres never any convenient time for any of them.

Death and taxes and childbirth! Theres never any convenient time for any of them!

There aint nothing from the outside can lick any of us.

Until youve lost your reputation you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.

Did you ever hear the Oriental proverb, The dogs bark but the caravan passes on? Let them bark, Scarlett. I fear nothing will stop your caravan.

I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isnt something left in life of charm and grace.

“Death, taxes and childbirth! Theres never any convenient time for any of them.”

“He would never be any different and now Scarlett realize the truth and accepted it without emotion—that until he died Gerald would always be waiting for Ellen, always listening for her. Her was in some dim borderline country where time was standing still and Ellen was always in the next room. The mainspring of his existence was taken away when she died and with it has gone his bounding assurance, his impudence and his restless vitality. Ellen was the audience before which the blustering drama of Gerald OHara had been played Now the curtain had been rung down forever, the footlights dimmed and the audience suddenly vanished, while the stunned old actor remained on his empty stage, waiting for his cues.”