“To lose one child, Mr. DeTamble, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose three looks like carelessness.”

“. . .Tell me, Clare: why on earth would a lovely girl like you want to marry Henry?'Everything in the room seems to hold its breath. Henry stiffens but doesn't say anything. I lean forward and smile at Mr. DeTamble and say, with enthusiasm, as though he has asked me what flavor of ice cream I like best: 'Because he's really, really good in bed.' In the kitchen there's a howl of laughter. Mr. DeTamble glances at Henry, who raises his eyebrows and grins, and finally even Mr. DeTamble smiles, and says 'Touché, my dear.”

“To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”

“I hate to be where she is not, when she is not. And yet, I am always going. - Henry deTamble”

“‎I never wanted to have anything in my life that I couldn't stand losing. But it's too late for that.”

“One may do many things in a long life. I also played a great deal of tennis and brought up three children. There's time for all sorts of adventures.”

“Don't you think it's better to be extremely happy for a short while, even if you lose it, than to be just okay for your whole life?”