18 quotes
Value of Friends Beyond Wealth
Olympe
If you don't stop being so easy-going with your money, you'll land in the gutter before you're through or back on that farm where you came from milking cows and cleaning out hen houses.
Marguerite
Cows and chickens make better friends than I've ever met in Paris.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Complexity of Unconditional Love
Marguerite
I think I know my own heart better than you can, Monsieur, and I can trust it not to change.
Monsieur Duval
No woman unprotected as you are can afford to give the best years of her life to a man who when he leaves her will leave her with nothing. And who is certain to leave her in the end.
Marguerite
I don't suppose you can understand how any woman, unprotected as you say I am, can be lifted above self-interest by a sentiment so delicate and pure that she feels only humiliation when you speak of such things.
Monsieur Duval
I realize now that you do love him unselfishly. But even so, I say it can't go on.
Marguerite
But it will go on!
Monsieur Duval
Armand is a young man with his way to make, with a career waiting for him. And in his case, he can't serve his best interest by being tied to a woman he can't present to his family or his friends.
Marguerite
Armand is no different than other men.
Monsieur Duval
Oh, come Mme. Be honest. Haven't you found him different? Haven't you found him more sensitive, more loyal? Or am I prejudiced because I'm his father?
Marguerite
No. I know Armand was different.
Monsieur Duval
So you see, as long as Armand loves you, he'll not enter rooms that you can't.
Marguerite
But a man can go back. He can always go back. Monsieur, suppose I told you I have a feeling I shan't live very long.
Monsieur Duval
Well then I scold you for being fanciful and a little foolish. What you probably feel is the melancholy of happiness, that mood that comes over all of us when we realize that even love can't remain at flood tide forever.
Marguerite
Oh Armand, I'm doomed.
Monsieur Duval
With him, you're both doomed. Without a profession of any sort, what can he do, unless he sinks so low, he's willing to let some other man foot the bills for his life with you.
Marguerite
You don't know Armand. He wouldn't say that.
Monsieur Duval
No one knows the man he might become if he loses his self-respect. But I think that's too high a price to pay even for love. I want Armand to enjoy life, not to be sacrificed to it. You see, my son is as dear to me as he can possibly be to you.
Marguerite
Yes, but you have others who are dear to you. I have only Armand. You don't know how I've changed. And he taught me that love is not always selfish, nor goodness dull, nor men faithless. No, no, you can't expect me to give up such love as his.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Reminder of Identity and Connection
Marguerite
And you kept it with you all this time?
[about her handkerchief]
Armand
Yes.
Marguerite
Always with you?
Armand
Always with me, like an old friend - to remind me that I'm not the Baron de Varville.
Marguerite
Hmm. Not a very romantic reason.
Armand
No, I kept it as a warning against romance.
Marguerite
How sensible! Has it made you very cynical?
Armand
Yes, very.
Marguerite
Is that why you've never taken the trouble to call on me?
Armand
Perhaps.
Marguerite
I'm sorry. One needs friends.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Love, Wealth, and Sacrifice in Relationships
Marguerite
Baron de Varville is not a patient man. And you're in the mood to quarrel with him tonight.
Armand
Naturally you don't want to lose your rich admirer, I understand. Your own fortune would fall with him.
Marguerite
Armand, he's not to blame for what happened - that I swear.
Armand
Then how could you do what you did? I'll tell you. Because your heart is a thing that can be bought and sold. Yes, I know you gave it to me for a whole summer, but when it came to a choice, the jewels and carriages he could give you were worth more than my love, my devotion, my life.
Marguerite
Yes, that's true. I'm a completely worthless woman and no man should risk his life for me. For that reason alone, I beg you leave this place at once.
Armand
I will. I will on one condition - that you'll go with me.
Marguerite
No.
Armand
I came back to Paris to tell you that I despise you, and I do. But I love you too.
Marguerite
No.
[falls limp back into his arms]
Armand
Say you'll go away with me, we'll forget the past. We'll never turn back.
Marguerite
No, no.
Armand
I doubled my fortune tonight at his expense. And when that's gone, I'll work, I'll beg, borrow, I'll steal, but I must be with you always, always.
Marguerite
When I hear you talking such a future, I realize I'm right in doing what I did. Look. Do you suppose we could ever be happy together even if I were free to act as I choose?
Armand
But you are free. We're both free.
Marguerite
I've given a solemn promise never to return to you.
Armand
To whom?
Marguerite
To someone that had the right to ask you.
Armand
To the Baron de Varville?
Marguerite
Yes.
[painfully lying]
Armand
Then you do love him. Dare to tell me that you love him. You're free of me forever.
[angrily]
Marguerite
I love him.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Love and Hope Amidst Despair
Marguerite
The doctor? If you can't make me live, how can he?
[dying]
Armand
No. Don't say such things, Marguerite. You'll live, you must live.
Marguerite
Perhaps it's better if I live in your heart, where the world can't see me. If I'm dead, there'll be no staying of our love.
[last words]
Armand
Shhh. Don't say such things, Marguerite, even if we can't go to the country today. Think of how happy we were once, how happy we shall be again. Think of the day you found the four leaf clover, and all the good luck it's going to bring us. Think of the vows we heard Nichette and Gustave make and that we're going to make to each other. This is for life, Marguerite. Marguerite? Marguerite?! No, don't leave me! Marguerite, come back! Come back...
[she crumbles and falls lifeless, with a gentle smile on her face; realizes that she's dead; cries on her shoulder]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Concern for a Loved One's Suffering
Marguerite
Oh, it's you. What's happened? You look ill too.
Armand
No, it's seeing you like this, suffering.
Marguerite
It's nothing. It lasts only a minute.
Armand
You're killing yourself.
Marguerite
If I am, you're the only one who objects. Now, why don't you go back and dance with one of those pretty girls. Come, I'll go with you. What a child you are.
[laughs; he embraces and kisses her hand]
Armand
Your hand's so hot.
Marguerite
Is that why you put tears on it and cool it?
Armand
I know I don't mean anything to you. I don't count. But someone ought to look after you. And I could if you'd let me.
Marguerite
Too much wine has made you sentimental.
Armand
It wasn't wine that made me come here every day for months to find out how you were.
Marguerite
No, it couldn't have been wine. So you'd really like to take care of me?
Armand
Yes.
Marguerite
All day, every day?
Armand
All day, every day. Why not?
Marguerite
Why should you care for a woman like me? I'm always nervous or sick, or sad or too gay.
[laughs]
Armand
I do care for you.
Marguerite
You know what you should do. You should get married. Ah. Come, come. You're young and sensitive. The sort of company you're in tonight doesn't suit you at all.
Armand
Nor you.
Marguerite
No. These are the only friends I have and I'm no better than they are. However, I've given you some very good advice. Now let's go back. Oh, what on earth am I going to do with you?
[notices his hesitation and laughs]
Armand
No one has ever loved you as I love you.
Marguerite
That may be true, but what can I do about it? You should go away and not see me anymore. But don't go in anger. Well, why don't you laugh at yourself a little as I laugh at myself, and come and talk to me once in a while in a friendly way?
Armand
That's too much and not enough. Don't you believe in love, Marguerite?
Marguerite
I don't think I know what it is.
Armand
Oh, thank you.
Marguerite
For what?
Armand
For never having been in love.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Identity and Recognition in Relationships
Marguerite
Even if you're not Baron de Varville, sit down.
Armand
I can scarcely believe I'm wanted now that my unimportance has been discovered.
Marguerite
Don't be silly. Who are you, anyhow?
Armand
My name is Armand Duval. I've never had any reason to be ashamed of it.
Marguerite
Oh, Armand Duval. I'm not always sincere. One can't be in this world, you know. But I am not sorry the mistake happened.
[smiling]
Armand
Nor am I.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Sacrifices Made for Love and Independence
Marguerite
Do you know what I asked Prudence to do tomorrow?
Armand
No, what?
Marguerite
Sell everything, pay everything so I could take a flat like Nichette's with what I have left.
Armand
Really? You mean you'd give up everything for me?
Marguerite
Everything in the world. Everything. Never be jealous again. Never doubt that I love you more than the world. More than myself.
Armand
Then, marry me.
Marguerite
What?
Armand
I married you today. Every word the priest said was meant for us. In my heart, I made all the vows to you.
Marguerite
And I to you.
Armand
Then...
Marguerite
No, no, that isn't fitting. Let me love you. Let me live for you. But don't let me ask any more from Heaven than that - God might get angry.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on the Finality of the Past
Armand Duval
The past is dead. Heaven rest its soul - if it had one.
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A Tear for Remembrance
Marguerite
Now what shall I give you to remember me by?
Baron
You can't give me anything I'd like?
Marguerite
What's that?
Baron
A tear. You're not sorry enough I'm going.
Marguerite
Oh, but I am sorry.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Cost of a Big Heart
Gaston
You really have a heart, Marguerite.
Olympe
Yes, it's gonna cost her a lot before she's through. I hope mine never gets that soft.
Gaston
Don't worry, it won't.
Prudence
It's a great mistake for any woman to have a heart bigger than her purse.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Beauty in the Face of Mortality
Marguerite Camille Gautier
I always look well when I'm near death.
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A Moment of Love and Transformation
Marguerite
How can one change one's entire life and build a new one on one moment of love? And yet, that's what you make me want to close my eyes and do.
Armand
Then close your eyes and say yes. I command you.
Marguerite
Yes, yes, yes.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Dream of Escape to the Country
Armand
I was dreaming...of you...We were in the country alone, far away.
Marguerite
Oh, I wish we were.
Armand
Marguerite. Let me take you to the country.
Marguerite
Yes, any day you like.
Armand
No, no, I mean, let me take you for a long time till you're well and strong again.
Marguerite
Oh, what nonsense.
Armand
Why is it nonsense?
Marguerite
Because it costs money to go to the country.
Armand
I have money.
Marguerite
Yes. How much?
Armand
Seven thousand francs a year.
Marguerite
I spend more than that in a month, and I've never been too particular where it came from, as you probably know.
Armand
Don't say such things.
Marguerite
Well it's true.
Armand
Give up the Baron.
Marguerite
I must give you up. I've told you before that you should forget me. So you go on your trip around the world and put me out of your mind.
Armand
I thought I meant something to you.
Marguerite
You mean too much already. But you're young and your life is before you. You know what mine has been already.
Armand
It doesn't matter.
Marguerite
Doesn't it?
Armand
Marguerite, you need love more than you need money, just now. You need care even more than love. I can take such good care of you if you'd let me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Fear of Boredom
Marguerite Camille Gautier
I'm afraid of nothing except being bored.
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Uncertainty in a Moment of Connection
Marguerite
Are you following me?
Armand
Yes, you, well you did smile at me a moment ago, didn't you?
Marguerite
Well, you tell me first whether you smiled at me or at my friend.
[about Olympe]
Armand
What friend?
Marguerite
You didn't even see her?
Armand
No.
Marguerite
That's very nice.
Armand
I was just wondering if you'd ask me to sit down if I knocked at the door of the box.
Marguerite
Why not? We really seemed fated to meet this evening, didn't we?
Armand
Fate must have had something to do with this. I've hoped for it so long. You don't believe me.
Marguerite
No.
Armand
The first time I saw you was a year and a half ago. You were in an open carriage and dressed in white. I saw you get out and go into a shop in La Place de la Bourse.
Marguerite
Yes, it might have happened. I used to go to a dressmaker in La Place de la Bourse.
Armand
You were wearing a thin dress with miles of ruffles, a large straw hat, an embroidered shawl, a single bracelet and heavy gold chain. And, of course, the camellias at your waist.
Marguerite
You have a marvelous memory, haven't you?
Armand
The next time was at the Opera La Comique. You were sitting in a box with a fur coat on, and Gaston - a chap whom I know who knows you, said Marguerite's been ill. And it hurt me. Next time...
Marguerite
Well, tell me, if all you say is true, why have you never spoken to me before?
Armand
In the first place, I didn't know you.
Marguerite
You didn't know me tonight.
Armand
No, but after you smiled at me, I knew you wouldn't mind.
Marguerite
And now, since you've met me?
Armand
Now I know that I love you - and have loved you since that first day.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Intimate Connection Through Eye Contact
Marguerite Camille Gautier
His eyes have made love to me all evening.
[about Armand]
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A Moment of Realization and Connection
Marguerite
It's you. It's not a dream.
[relieved, but frail]
Armand
No, it's not a dream. I'm here with you in my arms, at last.
[walks up to her]
Marguerite
At last.
Armand
You're weak.
Marguerite
No, no. Strong. It's my heart. It's not used to being happy.
[collapses into a chair]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.