I should think no one ever gave up fashionable extravagance just because they saw it to be foolish.

People haven't the strength of mind.

I dare say,' she added, with a bright look, 'anyone who _was_ strong enough to do that kind of thing would be admired and envied.' 'By whom ?' Rolfe asked.
'Oh, by their acquaintances who were still slaves.' 'I don't know.

Admiration and envy are not commonly excited by merely reasonable behaviour.' 'But this would be something more than merely reasonable.

It would be the beginning of a revolution.' 'My dear,' remarked Mrs.Frothingham, smiling sadly, 'people would never believe that it didn't mean loss of money.' 'They might be made to believe it.