Catalina
W. Somerset Maugham
Top 10 Best Quotes
“Ye cannot find out the depth of the heart of man, neither can ye perceive the things that he thinketh; then how can ye search out God, that hath made all these things, and know His mind, or comprehend His purpose?”
“Then this must be my answer: We know that the attributes of God are infinite and it has always seemed strange to me that men have never given Him credit for common sense. It is hard to believe that He would have created so beautiful a world if He had not decided men to enjoy it. Would He have given the stars their glory, the birds their sweet song, and the flowers, their fragrance if He had not wished us to delight in them? I shave sinned before men and men have condemned me. God made me a man with passions of a man, and did He give them to me only that I should suppress them? He gave me my adventurous spirit and my love of life. I have a humble hope that when I am face to face with my Maker He will condone my imperfections and I shall find mercy in His sight.”
“The devil is a good actor," smiled Domingo.”
“And you dared to go counter to your father's wishes? They should have been a command to you. Give me one reason, only one, why, flinging decency to the winds, you demeaned yourself by becoming a baker.' 'Hunger.”
“The great have no friends, dear Blasco. It is the price they must pay for their greatness.”
“She had in point of fact by now made up her mind to accept it, but she well knew that men like to think they decide matters for themselves.”
“No one ever died of love yet," said the prioress with a savage bitterness.”
“Doña Beatriz was too proud to lie.”
“But their fondest thoughts went to the two sons who had brought honour and glory to their ancient name.”
“Maria was frightened. “Say nothing to anybody,” she told Catalina, “not even to Uncle Domingo. I will talk to him after supper and he will decide what had better be done. Now in heaven’s name clean the carrots or we shall have no soup to eat.” Catalina was not satisfied with this, but her mother bade her be quiet and do as she was told. Presently Domingo came in. He was not drunk, but neither was he sober, and he was in high spirits. He was a man who liked to hear himself talk and, while they had supper, for Catalina’s benefit he held forth loquaciously on the events of the day.”
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Book Keywords:
grace, societal-pressure, having-a-hard-time, mediocrity, secret, averageness, coming-to-terms
