George Eliot provides many epigraphs throughout Middlemarch. Many are left unattributed and are therefore believed to be her own.
My favourite so far-
"Pues no podemos haber aquello que queremos, queramos aquello que podremos."
"Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get." Spanish Proverb
He was a squyer of low degree,
That loved the king's daughter of Hungrie. Old Romance
"Inconsistencies." answered Imlac, "cannot both be right, but imputed to man they may both be true." Rasselas (Samuel Johnson)
1st Gent. Where lies the power, there let blame lie too.
2nd Gent. Nay, power is relative, you cannot fright
The coming pest with border fortresses,
Or catch your carp with subtle argument.
All force is twain in one: cause is not cause
Unless effect be there; and action's self
Must needs contain a passive. So command
Exists but with obedience. G Eliot
"He beats me and I rail at him. O worthy satisfaction! would it were otherwise - that I could beat him while he railed at me." Troilus and Cressida
1st Gent. Our deeds are fetters that we forge ourselves.
2nd Gent. Ay, true: but I think it is the world that brings the iron. G Eliot
"Qui vent delasser hors de propos, lasse." Pensees, Pascal 1670
"Those who divert themselves aimlessly tire of diversions."
'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
Another thing to fall. Measure for Measure.
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