These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between June 5 and June 11, 2014. All but the last are from Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen. The book is 200 years old this year.

Mansfield Park Cover“There are situations in which very high spirits would denote insensibility.” Henry Crawford, talking to Maria while they are stopped at the gate, and responding to her statement that her spirits are naturally as high as Julia’s.

“When people are waiting, they are bad judges of time.” Fanny is trying to excuse the bad behavior of Henry Crawford and Maria to Maria’s fiancé, Mr. Rushworth.

“It is more than I would affirm myself.” Edmund to Fanny, when she tries to insist that the family living did not bias his choosing the clergy for his profession.

“A clergyman has nothing to do but to be slovenly and selfish.” Mary Crawford’s idea of the clergy.

“When an opinion is general it is usually correct.” Mary Crawford, still on the same subject. (In fact, this is very shallow. General opinions can be very incorrect, especially if money/power is on the side of wanting a particular opinion to be general.)

“Miss Price has been more used to deserve praise than to hear it.” Mary Crawford, speaking of Fanny to Edmund.

“Being free wasn’t as—well—free as he had once thought.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Roi is beginning to realize that being free carries responsibility.