“I daresay with age comes the inclination not to care much what others think.”

“You don't care what people think," he said.She couldn't tell from the way he emphasized the words if he was asking a question or making an observation. Still, she felt obliged to answer."Of course I care. To a certain extent we all care, but we can't care to the point that we live in fear of others' opinion, that we allow them to change who we are. We must be willing to stand up and defend what represents the very core of our being. Otherwise what is the purpose of individuality? We'd be nothing but imitations of each other, and I daresay we'd all be rather boring.”

“Because I would very much like to kiss you, Miss Darling, and unlike you, I’m not in the habit of taking what rightfully belongs to someone else.”

“You think the only battles fought are done so with rifles, and the only wounds that kill draw blood. You think courage is loud, boisterous, and proud. Mrs. Warner, I don't think you have a clue as to what this memorial truly represents."-Clay to Meg”

“I think yourmother loves Leo.”“I don’t know if she loves him enough.”“What would be enough?”“To give up on the promise of love from another.”

“Jake?" "Mmm?" "I like it when you spend the day thinking." He brought his head up, twinkling eyes and a mischie­vous grin gracing his countenance. "Reb, honey, that was just what I thought about this morning. Wait until I show you what I thought about this afternoon.”

“Miss Velvet." "Lord, darlin'. You're the only man in this state who would tip his hat to a whore." She ushered the other women along and stopped beside Jake. "You haven't been back to see me, darlin'." "No, ma'am." "You won't be coming back to see me, will you?" He shook his head. "No, ma'am. I won't." She smiled, a warm, pretty smile. "It's just as well. A man like you, darlin', shouldn't have to pay a woman. You take care of yourself now, you hear?" He returned her smile. "Yes, ma'am. I will." She reached out, touching the raised comer of his mouth with the tip of her finger. "Lord, darlin', I don't know how any woman could walk away from that smile.”