Quotes

“It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom, that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow.”

“People say,” said another, “that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to his heart that such a scandal has come upon his congregation.”

“Ah, but ... let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart.”

“But she named the infant “Pearl,” as being of great price,—purchased with all she had,—her mother’s only treasure!”

“He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart. Thou and I, Hester, never did so!”

“But this had been a sin of passion, not of principle, nor even purpose.”

“Thou hast escaped me! ... Thou hast escaped me!”

“Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred.”

“It was near that old and sunken grave, yet with a space between, as if the dust of the two sleepers had no right to mingle.”

“ON A FIELD, SABLE, THE LETTER A, GULES”