The Age of Innocence

The Age of Innocence Quotes

A tale of nineteenth-century New York high society in which a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman's cousin.

Newland: You gave me my first glimpse of a real life. Then you asked me to go on with the false one. No one can endure that.
Ellen: I'm enduring it.
Ellen: Newland. You couldn't be happy if it meant being cruel. If we act any other way I'll be making you act against what I love in you most. And I can't go back to that way of thinking. Don't you see? I can't love you unless I give you up.
Ellen Olenska: How can we be happy behind the backs of people who trust us?
Ellen Olenska: I knew you'd come.
Newland Archer: That shows you wanted me to.
Ellen Olenska: I think we should look at reality, not dreams.
Newland Archer: I just want us to be together!
Ellen Olenska: I can't be your wife, Newland! Is it your idea that I should live with you as your mistress?
Newland Archer: I want... Somehow, I want to get away with you... and... and find a world where words like that don't exist!
Ted Archer: The day before she died, she asked to see me alone, remember? She said she knew we were safe with you and always would be because once when she asked you to, you gave up the thing you wanted most.
Newland Archer: [after a long pause] She never asked. She never asked me.
Ellen Olenska: They never knew what it meant to be tempted, but you did.
Ellen Olenska: Is fashion such a serious consideration?
Newland Archer: Among those who have nothing more serious to consider.
Ted Archer: [about his fiancée] I'll be back on the first, and our wedding's not till the fifth.
Newland Archer: I'm surprised you even remembered the date.
Ellen Olenska: Is New York such a labyrinth? I thought it was all straight up and down like Fifth Avenue. All the cross streets numbered and big honest labels on everything.
Newland Archer: Everything is labeled, but everybody is not.
Ellen Olenska: Then I must count on you for warnings too.
Ted Archer: Annie made me swear to do three things in Paris: get her the score of the latest Debussy songs, go to the Grand Guignol, and see Madam Olenska.
Ted Archer: The Atlantic is calling us!
May Welland: ...I can't have my happiness made out of a wrong to someone else.
Newland Archer: [Last lines] Just say I'm old-fashioned. That will be enough. Go on, now.
Ted Archer: What will I tell her?
Newland Archer: Don't you always have something to say?
Larry Lefferts: Beaufort may not receive invitations anymore, but it's clear he maintains a certain position.
Mrs. Mingott: I gave up arguing with young people 50 years ago.
Newland: Honest? Isn't that why you always admire Julius Beaufort? He was more honest than the rest of us, wasn't he, we've got no character, no color, no variety. I wonder why you just don't go back to Europe.
Ellen: I believe that's because of you.
Newland: We should travel everywhere.
Louisa van der Luyden: But not Naples. Doctor Bencomb says there is a fever there.

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