Margaret Mitchell Quotes & Sayings

Babies, babies, babies. Why did God make so many babies? But no, God didn't make them. Stupid people made them. — Margaret Mitchell

Ashley to marry Melanie Hamilton! Oh, it couldn't be true! — Margaret Mitchell

Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is. — Margaret Mitchell

Give me a good horse to ride and some good licker to drink and a good girl to court and a bad girl to have fun with and anybody can have their own Europe ... What do we care about missing the tour? — Margaret Mitchell

And now in this hour of greatest need, there was no one. It was incredible that she could be so completely alone, and frightened, and far from home. — Margaret Mitchell

Hardships make or break people. — Margaret Mitchell

But Rhett, you mustn't bring me anything else so expensive. It's awfully kind of you, but I really couldn't accept anything else."
"Indeed? Well, I shall bring you presents so long as it pleases me and so long as I see things that will enhance your charms. I shall bring you dark-green watered silk for a frock to match the bonnet. And I warn you that I am not kind. I am tempting you with bonnets and bangles and leading you into a pit. Always remember I never do anything without reason and I never give anything without expecting something in return. I always get paid. — Margaret Mitchell

I'm tempting you with fine gifts until your girlish ideals are quite worn away and you are at my mercy. — Margaret Mitchell

If for no other reason she hated the Yankees because they kept her from having real coffee with sugar and thick cream in it. — Margaret Mitchell

Because she had always been happy, she wanted everyone about her to be happy or, at least, pleased with themselves. To this end, she always saw the best in everyone and remarked kindly upon it. There was no servant so stupid that she did not find some redeeming trait of loyalty and kind-heartedness, no girl so ugly and disagreeable that she could not discover grace of form or nobility of character in her, and no man so worthless or so boring that she did not view him in the light of his possibilities rather than his actualities. Because of these qualities that came sincerely and spontaneously from a generous heart, everyone flocked about her, for who can resist the charm of one who discovers in others admirable qualities undreamed of even by himself? — Margaret Mitchell

So I have. Let me hold the baby, Scarlett. Oh, I know how to hold babies. I have many strange accomplishments. Well, he certainly looks like Frank. All except the whiskers, but give him time."
"I hope not. It's a girl. — Margaret Mitchell

She knew only that if she did or said thus-and-so, men would unerringly respond with the complimentary thus-and-so. It was like a mathematical formula and no more difficult, for mathematics was the one subject that had come easy to Scarlett in her schooldays. — Margaret Mitchell

The Cause they had thought could never fall had fallen forever. — Margaret Mitchell

So you could not love me? That is as I hoped. For while I like you immensely, I do not love you and it would be tragic indeed for you to suffer twice from unrequited love, wouldn't it, dear? — Margaret Mitchell

It was not often that she was alone like this and she did not like it. When she was alone she had to think and, these days, thoughts were not so pleasant. — Margaret Mitchell

She was darkness and he was darkness and there had never been anything before this time, only darkness and his lips upon her. She tried to speak and his mouth was over hers again. Suddenly she had a wild thrill such as she had never known; joy, fear, madness, excitement, surrender to arms that were too strong, lips too bruising, fate that moved too fast. — Margaret Mitchell

She was as forthright and simple as the winds that blew over Tara and the yellow river that wound around it. — Margaret Mitchell

No one ever gets anywhere seeing both sides. — Margaret Mitchell

Brilliance is one part talent, two parts wisdom and three parts passion. — Margaret Mitchell

And if we folks have a motto, it's this: 'Don't holler - smile and bide your time.' We've survived a passel of things that way, smiling and biding our time, and we've gotten to be experts at surviving. — Margaret Mitchell

Her heart swelled up with misery, until it felt too large for her bosom. It beat with odd little jerks; her hands were cold, and a feeling of disaster oppressed her. There were pain and bewilderment in her face, the bewilderment of a pampered chhild who has always had her own way for the asking and who now, for the first time, was in contact with the unplesantness of life. — Margaret Mitchell

It's a very bad thing for a woman to face the worst that can happen to her, because after she's faced the worst she can't ever really fear anything again. And it's very bad for a woman not to be afraid of something ... always have something to fear - even as you save something to love ... and don't think you can lay down the load, ever. Because you can't. — Margaret Mitchell

I'll think of it tomorrow, at Tara. I can stand it then. Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day. — Margaret Mitchell

They are kind of queer about music and books and scenery. Mother says it's because their grandfather came from Virginia. She says Virginians set quite a store by such things. — Margaret Mitchell

They were all beautiful with the blinding beauty that transfigures even the plainest woman when she is utterly protected and utterly loved and is giving back that love a thousandfold. — Margaret Mitchell

Life was not easy, nor was it happy, but she did not expect life to be easy, and, if it was not happy, that was woman's lot. It was a man's world, and she accepted it as such. The man owned the property, and the woman managed it. The man took credit for the management, and the woman praised his cleverness. The man roared like a bull when a splinter was in his finger, and the woman muffled the moans of childbirth, lest she disturb him. Men were rough of speech and often drunk. Women ignored the lapses of speech and put the drunkards to bed without bitter words. Men were rude and outspoken, women were always kind, gracious and forgiving. — Margaret Mitchell

My pet, the world can forgive practically anything except people who mind their own business - Rhett Butler — Margaret Mitchell

She had the temper of a Tartar and the rages of a wild cat and, at such times, she did not seem to care what she said or how much it hurt. — Margaret Mitchell

Scarlett kicked the coverlet in impotent rage, trying to think of something bad enough to say.
'God's nightgown!' she cried at last, and felt somewhat relieved. — Margaret Mitchell

Locale and point of focus and heroine. She leaves the great battlefields of Gettysburg and Vicksburg, Bull Run and Antietam to the others and places the Civil War in the middle of Scarlett O'Hara's living room. She has the Northern cannons sounding beyond Peachtree Creek as Melanie Wilkes goes into labor, and has the city of Atlanta in flames as Scarlett is seized with an — Margaret Mitchell

I was right when I said I'd never look back. It hurts too much, it drags at your heart till you can't ever do anything else except look back. — Margaret Mitchell

She hasn't your strength. She's never had any strength. She's never had anything but heart. — Margaret Mitchell

In fact, the mothers of all her girl friends impressed on their daughters the necessity of being helpless, clinging, doe-eyed creatures. Really, it took a
lot of sense to cultivate and hold such a pose. — Margaret Mitchell

She could see so clearly now that he was only a childish fancy, no more important really than her spoiled desire for the aquamarine earbobs she had coaxed out of Gerald. For, once she owned the earbobs, they had lost their value, as everything except money lost its value once it was hers. — Margaret Mitchell

The happiest days are when babies come. — Margaret Mitchell

A startling thought this, that a woman could handle business matters as well or better than a man, a revolutionary thought to Scarlett who had been reared in the tradition that men were omniscient and women none too bright. — Margaret Mitchell

He was so tender, so infinitely soothing, she longed to stay in his arms forever. With such strong arms about her, surely nothing could harm her. — Margaret Mitchell

I told you once before that there were two times for making big money, one in the up-building of a country and the other in its destruction. Slow money on the up-building, fast money in the crack-up. Remember my words. Perhaps they may be of use to you some day. (Rhett Butler) — Margaret Mitchell

It was one thing to know that Ashley was engaged but it was another to hear people talk about it so casually. — Margaret Mitchell

But, Scarlett, did it ever occur to you that even the most deathless love could wear out? — Margaret Mitchell

Take my handkerchief, Scarlett. Never, at any crisis of your life, have I known
you to have a handkerchief. — Margaret Mitchell

Mistress! What would I get out of that except a passel of brats? -Scarlett O'Hara — Margaret Mitchell

It was not the lifting up of her heart to God that brought this balm, for religion went no more than lip deep with her. It was the sight of her mother's serene face upturned to the throne of God and His saints and angels, praying for blessings on those whom she loved. When Ellen intervened with Heaven, Scarlett felt certain that Heaven heard. Ellen — Margaret Mitchell

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn! (Rhett Butler) — Margaret Mitchell

That is the one unforgivable sin in any society. Be different and be damned! — Margaret Mitchell

Men should either be clean shaven, mustached or wear full beards. "That little wisp looks like it was just the best he could do," she thought, — Margaret Mitchell

If I said I was madly in love with you you'd know I was lying. — Margaret Mitchell

Why will people persist in reading strange meanings into the simplest of story? Is it not enough that a writer can entertain for a few hours with narrative without being suspected of 'significances' or symbolism or 'social trends'? — Margaret Mitchell

For I am fighting for the old days, the old ways which I love so much, but which, I fear, are now gone forever, no matter how the die may fall. For, win or lose, we lose just the same. - Ashley Wilkes, Gone with the Wind — Margaret Mitchell

Forgive me for startling you with the impetuosity of my sentiments, my dear Scarlett - I mean, my dear Mrs. Kennedy. It cannot have escaped your notice that for some time past the friendship I have had in my heart for you has ripened into a deeper feeling, a feeling more beautiful, more pure, more sacred. Dare I name it you? Ah! It is love which makes me so bold! — Margaret Mitchell

Crackers are short on sparkle. — Margaret Mitchell

A new baby! Why, Scarlett, this is a surprise!" he laughed, leaning down to push the blanket away from Ella Lorena's small ugly face." - Rhett Butler — Margaret Mitchell

Some day I'm going to do and say everything I want to do and say, and if people don't like it I don't care. — Margaret Mitchell

Now she could look back down the long years and see herself in green flowered dimity, standing in the sunshine at Tara, thrilled by the young horseman with his blond hair shining like a silver helmet. She could see so clearly now that he was only a childish fancy, no more important really than her spoiled desire for the aquamarine earbobs she had coaxed out of Gerald. For, once she owned the earbobs, they had lost their value, as everything except money lost its value once it was hers. And so he, too, would have become cheap if, in those first far-away days, she had ever had the satisfaction of refusing to marry him. If she had ever had him at her mercy, seen him grown passionate, importunate, jealous, sulky, pleading, like the other boys, the wild infatuation which had possessed her would have passed, blowing away as lightly as mist before sunshine and light wind when she met a new man. — Margaret Mitchell

Everywhere, women gathered in knots, huddled in groups on front porches, on sidewalks, even in the middle of the streets, telling each other that no news is good news, trying to comfort each other, trying to present a brave appearance. — Margaret Mitchell

Once, when she was six years old, she had fallen from a tree, flat on her stomach. She could still recall that sickening interval before breath came back into her body. Now, as she looked at him, she felt the same way she had felt then, breathless, stunned, nauseated. — Margaret Mitchell

Her burdens were her own and burdens were for shoulders strong enough to bear them. — Margaret Mitchell

Scarlett O'Hara wasn't pretty. — Margaret Mitchell

You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly sorry he's going to jail. - Rhett Butler — Margaret Mitchell

I won't need you to rescue meM. I can take care of myself, thank you. - Scarlett O'Hara. — Margaret Mitchell

As though she thought I was to blame for what happened, Scarlett thought indignantly. — Margaret Mitchell

Mr. Lincoln, the merciful and just, who cries large tears over Mrs. Bixby's five boys, hasn't any tears to shed about the thousands of Yankees dying at Andersonville," said Rhett, his mouth twisting. "He doesn't care if they all die. The order is out. No exchanges. — Margaret Mitchell

And apologies, once postponed, become harder and harder to make, and finally impossible. — Margaret Mitchell

Melly is the only woman friend I ever had," she thought forlornly, "the only woman except Mother who really loved me. She's like Mother, too. Everyone who knew her has clung to her skirts. — Margaret Mitchell

How wonderful to know someone who was bad and dishonorable and a cheat and a liar, when all the world was filled with people who would not lie to save their souls and who would rather starve than do a dishonorable deed! — Margaret Mitchell

Accepting Uncle Tom's Cabin as revelation second only to the Bible, the Yankee women all wanted to know about the bloodhounds which every Southerner kept to track down runaway slaves. And they never believed her when she told them she had only seen one bloodhound in all her life and it was a small mild dog and not a huge ferocious mastiff. They wanted to know about the dreadful branding irons which planters used to mark the faces of their slaves and the cat-o'-nine-tails with which they beat them to death, and they evidenced what Scarlett felt was a very nasty and ill-bred interest in slave concubinage.
Especially did she resent this in view of the enormous increase in mulatto babies in Atlanta since the Yankee soldiers had settled in the town. — Margaret Mitchell

And don't think you can lay down the load, ever. Because you can't. I know. — Margaret Mitchell

Money can't buy everything." "Someone must have told you that. You'd never think of such a platitude all by yourself. What can't it buy?" "Oh, well, I don't know - not happiness or love, anyway." "Generally it can. And when it can't, it can buy some of the most remarkable substitutes. — Margaret Mitchell

She was constitutionally unable to endure any man being in love with any woman not herself ... — Margaret Mitchell

Suddenly she felt strong and happy. She was not afraid of the darkness or the fog and she knew with a singing in her heart that she would never fear them again. No matter what mists might curl around her in the future, she knew her refuge. She started briskly up the street toward home and the blocks seemed very long. Far, far too long. She caught up her skirts to her knees and began to run lightly. But this time she was not running from fear. She was running because Rhett's arms were at the end of the street. — Margaret Mitchell

I've never bothered about what people said. — Margaret Mitchell

It's not because I've -what is the phrase? -'swept you off your feet' by my -er- ardor? — Margaret Mitchell

As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again. - Scarlett — Margaret Mitchell

What did they know about you? I know you. — Margaret Mitchell

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 O'Hara 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. — Margaret Mitchell

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. — Margaret Mitchell

In a weak moment, I have written a book. — Margaret Mitchell

and the most insane gossip tortured the town — Margaret Mitchell

Great balls of fire. Don't bother me anymore, and don't call me sugar. — Margaret Mitchell

Had awakened no idea of what passion might be or tenderness or true intimacy of body or spirit. — Margaret Mitchell

It seems we've been at cross purposes, doesn't it? But it's 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. — Margaret Mitchell

Sir" said Mrs. Meade indignantly. "There are NO deserters in the Confederate army."
"I beg your pardon," said Rhett with mock humility. "I meant those thousands on furlough who FORGOT to rejoin their regiments and those who have been over their wounds for six months but who remain at home, going about their usual business or doing the spring plowing. — Margaret Mitchell

I love you, Scarlett, because we are so much alike, renegades, both of us, dear, and selfish rascals. Neither of us cares a rap if the whole world goes to pot, so long as we are safe and comfortable. — Margaret Mitchell

In the excitement of trying on dresses she had forgotten Mammy's ironclad rule that, before going to any party, the O'Hara girls must be crammed so full of food at home they would be unable to eat any refreshments at the party. — Margaret Mitchell

That was a neat way of smoothing a man's vanity and yet keeping him on the string, and Charles rose to it as though such bait were new and he the first to swallow it. — Margaret Mitchell

He wasn't a gentleman and there was no telling what men would do when they weren't gentlemen. There was no standard to judge them by. — Margaret Mitchell

He had never known such gallantry as the gallantry of Scarlett O'Hara going forth to conquer the world in her mother's velvet curtains and the tail feathers of a rooster. — Margaret Mitchell

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. — Margaret Mitchell

If he's forgotten me, I'll make him remember me. I'll make him want me again. — Margaret Mitchell

But the small cloud which appeared in the northwest four months ago had blown up into a mighty storm and then into a screaming tornado,sweeping away her world, whirling her out of her sheltered life,and dropping her down in the midst of this still,haunted desolation. — Margaret Mitchell

They were the eyes of a happy woman, a woman around whom storms might blow without ever ruffling the serene core of her being. — Margaret Mitchell

Because she hated herself, she hated them all with the fury of the thwarted and humiliated love of sixteen. Only a little true tenderness had been mixed into her love. Mostly it had been compounded out of vanity and complacent confidence in her own charms. Now she had lost and, greater than her sense of loss, was the fear that she had made a public spectacle of herself. — Margaret Mitchell

My age is my own private business and I intend to keep it so - if I can. I am not so old that I am ashamed of my age and I am not so young that I couldn't have written my book and that is all the public needs to know about my age. — Margaret Mitchell

After all, tomorrow is another day! — Margaret Mitchell

But, hell, I wouldn't have grudged him your body. I know how little bodies mean - especially women's bodies. But I do grudge him your heart and your dear, hard, unscrupulous mind. He doesn't want your mind, the fool, and I don't want your body. I can buy women cheap. But I do want your mind and your heart, and I'll never have them. — Margaret Mitchell

Well fiddle dee dee! — Margaret Mitchell

She thinks I'm a hussy,' thought Scarlett. 'And perhaps she's right at that! — Margaret Mitchell

The week passed by swiftly, like a dream ... a dream where minutes flew as rapidly as heartbeats. Such a breathless week when something within her drove Scarlett with mingled pain and pleasure to pack and cram every minute with incidents to remember after he was gone, happenings which she could examine at leisure in the long months ahead, extracting every morsel of comfort from them - dance, sing, laugh, fetch and carry for Ashley, anticipate his wants, smile when he smiles, be silent when he talks, follow him with your eyes so that each line of his erect body, each lift of his eyebrows, each quirk of his mouth, will be indelibly printed on your mind - for a week goes by so fast and the war goes on forever. — Margaret Mitchell

The liar was the hottest to defend his veracity, the coward his courage, the ill-bred his gentlemanliness, and the cad his honor — Margaret Mitchell

You look like you'd swallowed a ramrod and it isn't becoming"-Rhett Butler — Margaret Mitchell