Quotes or quotations are phrases, sentences, lines and even paragraphs taken from a story or a literary piece. These quotes express universal truths or situations. Written by Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights has famous quotes that can be used in different circumstances. These quotations are often cited and referenced for their universal value. Some of the popular quotes of Wuthering Heights have been analyzed below.
Quotes in Wuthering Heights
Quote #1
Guests are so exceedingly rare in this house that I and my dogs, I am willing to own, hardly know how to receive them.
Chapter -1
Mr. Heathcliff is talking to Mr. Lockwood explaining his rude behavior. He mentions that he and his dogs stay so much away from the people that they hardly know how to treat guests when they come to meet them. It also shows that no guests come to this house. It compares his treatment to children also who do not know how to meet guests.
Quote #2
‘Yes: you had the reason of going to bed with a proud heart and an empty stomach,’ said I. ‘Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves. But, if you be ashamed of your touchiness, you must ask pardon, mind, when she comes in.
Chapter -7
Mrs. Dean is telling Heathcliff that he could feel pride even when he is hungry and goes to his bed. She tries to point out Heathcliff’s prideful nature as root for all his trouble. She adds that people are responsible for the problems they create because of that arrogance. That is why she asks him to seek forgiveness from Catherine if he feels that his irritability has caused her discomfort.
Quote #3
Wish and learn to smooth away the surly wrinkles, to raise your lids frankly, and change the fends to confident, innocent angels, suspecting and doubting nothing, and always seeing friends where they are not sure of foes.
Chapter -7
Mrs. Dean keeps a watchful eye on Heathcliff when his health starts to fail. She often engages in giving him advice. She advises him to be friendly and receptive to friends and meet them when they least expect them. She wants him to become a good person who always has a strong desire to do good for others.
Quote #4
‘HERE! and HERE!’ replied Catherine, striking one hand on her forehead, and the other on her breast: ‘in whichever place the soul lives. In my soul and in my heart, I’m convinced I’m wrong!
Chapter -9
Catherine speaks these lines when she shares her thoughts with Mrs. Dean. She is telling her premonitions about the marriage proposal to exchange her views. She is actually skeptical of her own acceptance of the proposal. She confesses that though she is marrying Edgar, she loves Heathcliff.
Quote #5
My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I AM Heathcliff!
Chapter -9
Catherine is speaking to herself to decide which love is strong. She says that her love for Linton is changeable while her love for Heathcliff is like a rock. It is unchangeable. This is a pure delight for her and hence important. That is why she thinks that she is for Heathcliff and not for Linton. However, she takes the wrong decision and leaves Heathcliff.
Quote #6
Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek, I’d not only turn the other, but I’d ask pardon for provoking it; and, as a proof, I’ll go make my peace with Edgar instantly. Goodnight! I’m an angel!
Chapter -10
Cathy becomes a peacemaker as she states that she would act upon the advice of Jesus by turning the cheek and pardoning the person. She is actually trying to reconcile and be good after the return of Heathcliff that she would become like an angel. This metaphor shows growth in her character.
Quote #7
You fight against that devil for love as long as you may: when the time comes, not all the angels in heaven shall save him.
Chapter -13
Hindley, brother of Catherine, thinks that Heathcliff is a devil, and you only fight against him even in love. In fact, this word has been used as a pun, a literary device that shows the writer’s dexterity in using words. He means that no angel can save a devil. He warns Catherine that it is impossible to change Heathcliff.
Quote #8
It is not in him to be loved like me: how can she love in him what he has not?
Chapter -14
Heathcliff reflects upon Cathy’s love and her admission to this love. He believes that it has reinforced his idea that two people loving each other can think about the same things. He knows that Cathy cannot love any other person as she loves him.
Quote #9
He has no claim on my charity. I gave him my heart, and he took and pinched it to death, and flung it back to me.
Chapter -17
Isabell says that Heathcliff has no right to claim charity. After suffering years of abuse, she realizes that she had had enough. Hence, she explains that as Heathcliff has rebuffed her love, she has the right to put him down.
Quote #10
However miserable you make us, we shall still have the revenge of thinking that your cruelty arises from your greater misery.
Chapter -29
Young Catherine speaks to Heathcliff. She knows that Heathcliff had gone through severe abuse and betrayal. Hence he had become a bitter person. Hence, she shows compassion to Heathcliff and tells him that she acknowledges his misery.
