Siri Mitchell Quotes

“Why does it always have to be that way? Why do good men always have to sacrifice themselves for others?
Because they believe that the rest of us are worth it.”

— Siri Mitchell

“This table is a pigeon trap. A dozen different forks and knives and spoons. Four different goblets. All of them just waiting to be knocked over or misapplied and mishandled. It's a wonder anyone is ever tempted to eat.”

— Siri Mitchell

Who has ever deserved anything they've been given? Love isn't about deserving,cara mia. It's about giving. And accepting. And sharing. The most worthy heart is also the most courageous.

— Siri Mitchell

“Your past is not as important as your future. Did you know that? Can't change anything about what you've been, but you can change who you'll become.”

— Siri Mitchell

But if it wasn't you, then who would I dream about?

— Siri Mitchell

“When I was a child, Mama had the best voice of all the members of the church. She had loved to sing. Her words had soared like an angel's over the swells of the organ. In fact, I now suspected, her entire theology had been taken from the hymnal.”

— Siri Mitchell

“It was about sharing our lives. Building a dream. Starting a family. Together. It was about life being so much richer, so fuller, just because you were at my side.”

— Siri Mitchell

“Love doesn't make you run away. Love makes you come back.”

— Siri Mitchell

Love is not some tool for manipulation. Love is a gift - love is from God. Love means everything.

— Siri Mitchell

“But what they had achieved apart on the dance floors of the world was nothing compared to what they achieved together.”

— Siri Mitchell

“The concept of the Trinity seems very esoteric and irrelevant in today's world, but it seems to me that only a faith embracing each person of the Trinity can save us from imbalance. While love without faith offers no hope, faith without love offers no mercy. We must have both faith and love or run the danger of discovering that, in the end, we have nothing at all.”

— Siri Mitchell

“The problem wasn't drinking. The problem was people. And what they needed wasn't a new law; what they needed was a new heart.”

— Siri Mitchell

“You can wish or you can do." That's what the dean always said. "You might have done the wrong thing in the first place, but you don't have to do the wrong thing in the second place." That's way I always said.”

— Siri Mitchell

But it's no good preaching to a grief-stricken soul. And it can actually cause much harm. God is long-suffering in His patience, however, and infinite in His kindness,

— Siri Mitchell

“Maybe what God had done was give her a great gift. She'd come to this country helpless and friendless. She'd been given both friends and a family”

— Siri Mitchell

“Laws have never been able to change human nature, and only God can change hearts.”

— Siri Mitchell

A statue of Mary, sheltered inside, implied infinite peace. A listening ear. A willingness to give you the benefit of the doubt. God knew what he was doing when he gave Jesus a mother.

— Siri Mitchell

“I curtsied. 'Thank you, Mr. Stansbury. And I apologize for my lack of grace.'
He bowed. 'Never apologize for being courageous, Miss Withersby.”

— Siri Mitchell

“Why do you always talk like that? With a hand in front of your mouth?" "Because it's too large." And I could not remember to think of peas and prunes and prisms. "Who told you that?" "My aunt." "And what else has she told you?" "That I'm much too tall." "Has she?" "Yes." I said it in a whisper because Harry had come so very close and his lips were hovering just above mine. "I'm afraid that . . . I might just . . . kiss you. If that's all right." "Oh, Harry . . ." What a strange sensation, to feel Harry's lips upon mine. So warm and gentle and giving. Especially when Franklin's had been so hard and urgent and demanding. He broke away with a sigh. Placed a hand to either side of my neck and stared at me for a long moment . . . just stood there looking deeply into my eyes. And then he slid his hands down to my shoulders and clasped me to himself. "It seems just fine to me." The words were whispered into my ear. "What does?" "Your mouth. And you. You're perfect just the way you are.”

— Siri Mitchell

“He began to attack the bone with a regular knife and spoon. Until I nudged him with an elbow. "The marrow shovel." It was meant to reach down to the bottom of a bone and lift the marrow out. He reached for the utensil. "That's right. I always forget!" He wouldn't if Aunt had been his teacher. "Why do you think it is that we can't just use a knife?" I smothered a laugh as I remembered that I had asked Aunt that very same thing. "I don't know." "Neither do I. This table is a pigeon trap. A dozen different forks and knives and spoons. Four different goblets. All of them just waiting to be knocked over or misapplied and mishandled. It's a wonder anyone is ever tempted to eat!" "You're doing quite well." "Franklin's much better at all of this than I am." "But you're much better at conversing." "And making you laugh? Am I better at that?" I smiled. "Yes. I would say so." "Good. Because that, at least, is something worthwhile.”

— Siri Mitchell

“But if you've always wanted to travel, then why don't you?" I very nearly shrugged before I remembered not to. "I can't." "Why not?' "Because . . . because . . . it's just not done. How would I do it? What would I say?" He grinned. "Bon voyage-I'm off to the Continent. That seemed to work for me." "But you're a man." "Yes. Yes, I am." "You can do whatever you want. But I'm a girl-" "Yes, indeed you are!" I frowned. He was teasing me. "Forgive me. As you were saying?" "I cannot just go wherever I want whenever I please. I have to be escorted. And who would escort me abroad?" "I would." I laughed. "I would!" His protest was tinged by his own laughter. "You can't." "And why not?" "Because we aren't-" I was going to say married, but that would have been presumptuous. "Because you can't. It wouldn't be proper." "Far be it from me to know polite from improper, but I believe you just danced your first waltz properly. With your eyes open.”

— Siri Mitchell

“The bell sounded again. I coughed. "Aren't you going to get that?" Mr. Trimble started. "Get what?" "The door. It's something I used to do that I'm not to do anymore." "Surely getting the door won't interfere with your finding a husband." "It might. I've never sought a husband before, so I'm sure I don't know.”

— Siri Mitchell

There comes a time when even the thing you love betrays you ... you have to know when it's time to give it up, I suppose. Doesn't mean you love it any less, of course. Just means it's time to move on. When you can't agree with the decisions that bind you, then you have to take your talents elsewhere.

— Siri Mitchell

“You don't give up at the beginning just because you're afraid of what might happen at the end. If it's worth it, then it's worth it,”

— Siri Mitchell

“No. I'm afraid it would be quite impossible to use a hammer without hammering.”

— Siri Mitchell

“I do understand! I understand what they do not, and that is you can only do with what you have. What God has given you. If you try to be anyone else, it is the worst thing that can happen because you cannot ever be them - and then you give up being you”

— Siri Mitchell

“Was a way of life that seemed to produce nothing of worth and yet consume everything of value.”

— Siri Mitchell

“As the final bars of the dance were played, we bowed to the couples across from us and at our corners and then Mr. De Vries deposited me back at Aunt's side. Bowed. "Thank you ever so much, Miss Carter." "Thank you, Mr. De Vries." He stepped a bit closer. "Don't you think, since we spoke of . . . feathers and hatpins . . . that you could call me Harry?" I nodded. And as he left me at Aunt's side, I was smiling still.”

— Siri Mitchell

“This I've learned in life: If you don't believe in Santa Claus, he can't bring you any presents.”

— Siri Mitchell

“He took up my hand and looked me straight in the eyes. "You weren't meant to hear it because it wasn't true." "It . . . wasn't?" "No. You see, Franklin has always taken from me everything I ever wanted. And this time, I determined that he would not take you.”

— Siri Mitchell