The Remains of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I have always been a man of discretion."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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