Stevens

"I can't even say I made my own mistakes. Really—one has to ask oneself—what dignity is there in that?"

"What is pertinent is the calmness of that beauty, its sense of restraint."

"I have walked this corridor any number of times and yet I was unable to recall the dimensions of the portraits."

"One cannot be a butler if one is to be haunted and unbalanced by memories of the dead."

"The past is past and no doubt I have too much time on my hands just now."

"I can't even say I made my own mistakes."

"A butler's duty is to provide service of the highest quality with dignity and discretion."

"One simply cannot be ashamed of the dignity of one's profession."

"The fact is, I am now entering what I might call the latter stages of my life."

"I have always been a man of discretion."

"What is pertinent is my life has been a good one, lived according to proper standards."

"Professionals of my standing would not be expected to permit such events to disturb their professional demeanor."

"I cannot even remember the exact circumstances of my mother's death."

"One must have some conviction about the course one's life should take."

"The English landscape at its finest expresses a sense of restraint."

"There is nothing to be had from such reminiscing."

"A man in my position is obliged to devote considerable effort to the pursuing of his professional interests."

"I trusted I was applying myself to a greater cause."

"It is hardly an attractive notion that one has, over so many years, been engaged in some kind of self-deception."

"One simply doesn't question these things in one's youth."

"There are times when one realizes one's life has been a path of darkness."

"The dignity has to come from within."

"I have always endeavored to be of service."

"One cannot discuss such matters without experiencing considerable discomfort."

"It seems increasingly clear that this task is the central concern of my life."

"The butler's calling is a noble one, by and large."

"I would say Lord Darlington was a man of considerable virtue."

"One must confront these facts with dignity."

"There is such a thing as the burden of duty."

"I have not acted dishonorably."