Stevens

"Perhaps it is time I began to look at this whole matter in a new light."

"One must maintain appropriate boundaries in all dealings."

"The world is changing, and perhaps my methods are of another age."

"I have devoted my life to providing service of the highest caliber."

"A butler does not involve himself in the great affairs of the world."

"I wonder if my life has not been a futile thing."

"One must accept certain losses with grace."

"The pursuit of perfection in one's calling is not something to be ashamed of."

"I have trusted that my judgments would ultimately serve a greater good."

"One does one's best and one moves forward."

"The question of what one might have done differently is not particularly helpful."

"A professional butler does not air his personal troubles."

"It is far better to employ one's energies in what one can control."

"I have been a good butler, and by and large, that is all that can be asked of one."

"One must not permit oneself to be governed by regret."

"The English landscape provides a sense of great peace."

"I wonder whether I have not simply been a foolish man."

"One can't simply live one's life against the backdrop of what might have been."

"Dignity is something one acquires through dedication to one's calling."

"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 trusted. I followed his lead because I trusted."

"Surely it is not improper for a butler to indulge in a little conjecture."

"One must be able to say, at the end of one's life, 'I have never wasted my energies on pursuits I considered to be worthless.'"

"The task of a butler is not to offer his own opinions, but rather to provide a suitable mirror."

"I have always been drawn to those who know their place."

"Perhaps what I should have said was that I hope, in the end, the history of my life will be seen as having been justified."

"It was not such a long journey after all."

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

"Dignity is not some ornament that can be applied or removed as one sees fit."