Jane Eyre

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will."

"I would always rather be happy than dignified."

"I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh; it is my spirit that addresses your spirit."

"Whatever I do, I feel spurred on as by a spring; whatever I say, I feel impressed as if by a will not my own."

"My pulse stopped: my heart stood still; my stretched arm was paralysed."

"I am not an angel, and I will not pretend to be one."

"Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs."

"I felt as if this was a test of my constancy, my faith, my principle."

"Conventionality is not morality."

"I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself."

"He is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."

"There is no merit in loving a man you do not fear."

"I have as much soul as you, and full as much heart!"

"I would always rather be happy than dignified."

"Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine."

"I am not speaking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh."

"You are not to suppose, because I am a paid subordinate, that I am merely a hired dependent."

"I felt as though I had hardly a right to trouble him with the question."

"Do you think I am an automaton without feelings?"

"I have faith. I believe in the existence of other worlds, in the existence of something higher than I am."

"My time is governed by my duties."

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me."

"The more solitary, the more friendless I am, the more I will respect myself."

"I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh; it is my spirit that addresses your spirit."

"I feel as if I were the instrument of some greater power."

"What does it matter whether I am afraid or not?"

"I would rather be a slave in Africa than an unwilling bride here."

"My very soul demanded liberty."

"I felt as though I had a charm or spell upon me."

"You are dreaming—you are dreaming, Mr. Rochester."