Under the Greenwood Tree; Or, the Mellstock Quire: A Rural Painting of the Dutch School

“If we be doomed to marry, we marry; if we be doomed to remain single we do.””

— Thomas Hardy

“To dwellers in a wood, almost every species of tree has its voice as well as its feature.””

— Thomas Hardy

“There's a friendly tie of some sort between music and eating.””

— Thomas Hardy

“Everybody must be managed. Queens must be managed. Kings must be managed, for men want managing almost as much as women, and that's saying a good deal.””

— Thomas Hardy

“If the story-tellers could ha' got decency and good morals from true stories, who'd have troubled to invent parables?””

— Thomas Hardy

“Thought failed him, and he returned to realities.””

— Thomas Hardy

“Why, you make anyone think that loving is a thing that can be done and undone, and put on and put off at a mere whim.””

— Thomas Hardy

“Half an hour afterwards Dick emerged from the inn, and if Fancy's lips had been real cherries, probably Dick's would have appeared deeply stained.””

— Thomas Hardy

“How people will talk about one’s doings!” Fancy exclaimed.“Well, if you make songs about yourself, my dear, you can’t blame other people for singing ’em.””

— Thomas Hardy