But, Scarlett, did it ever occur to you that even the most deathless love could wear out?

— Margaret Mitchell

But she knew that no matter what beauty lay behind, it must remain there. No one could go forward with a load of aching memories.

— Margaret Mitchell

But there was a difference in their hardness and hers and just what the difference was, she could not, for the moment, tell. Perhaps it was that there was nothing she would not do, and there were so many things these people would rather die than do. Perhaps it was that they were without hope but still smiling at life, bowing gracefully and passing it by. And this Scarlett could not do. She could not ignore life. She had to live it, and it was too brutal, too hostile, for her even to try to gloss over its harshness with a smile. Of the sweetness and courage and unyielding pride of her friends, Scarlett saw nothing. She saw only a silly stiff-wickedness which observed facts but smiled and refused to look them in the face.

— Margaret Mitchell

Child, it's a very bad thing for a woman to face the worst that can happen to her, because after she's faced the worst she can't ever really fear anything again. ... Scarlett, always save something to fear— even as you save something to love...

— Margaret Mitchell

Death and taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them!

— Margaret Mitchell

Death and taxes and childbirth. There's never any convenient time for any of them.

— Margaret Mitchell

Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them.

— Margaret Mitchell

Did it ever occur to you that I loved you as much as a man can love a woman? Loved you for years before I finally got you? During the war I'd go away and try to forget you, but I couldn't, and I always had to come back. After the war I risked arrest, just to come back and find you. I cared so much I believe I would have killed Frank Kennedy if he hadn't died when he did. I loved you, but I couldn't let you know it. You're so brutal to those who love you, Scarlett. You take their love and hold it over their heads like a whip.

— Margaret Mitchell

Did you ever hear the Oriental proverb, "The dogs bark, but the caravan passes on"? Let them bark, Scarlett. I fear nothing will stop your caravan.

— Margaret Mitchell

Do I understand, sir, that you mean the Cause for which our heroes have died is not sacred?' If you were run over by a railroad train your death wouldn’t sanctify the railroad company, would it?' asked Rhett and his voice sounded as if he were humbly seeking information.

— Margaret Mitchell