![Downton Abbey quotes from Carson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-carson-5.jpg)
Carson on change
“The nature of life is not permanence, but flux.”
— Carson, Downton Abbey, Season 5
![Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey quotes](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-2.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on love
“I’m not a romantic, but even I concede that the heart does not exist solely for the purpose to pump blood.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 2
![Downton Abbey quotes from Anna](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-anna-and-bates.jpg)
Anna on opportunity
“Good men… They’re not like buses. There won’t be another one round in 10 minutes.”
— Anna, Downton Abbey, Season 2
![Downton Abbey quotes from Isobel Crawley](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-isobel-crawley.jpg)
Isobel on closure
“Seems a pity not to take a chance to end a quarrel. Isn’t it better than to let it fester?”
— Isobel Crawley, Downton Abbey, Season 3
These inspiring quotes about forgiveness will make you want to put down your grudges.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Mrs Patmore](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-mrs-patmore-and-daisy.jpg)
Mrs. Patmore on making plans
“Nothing in life is sure.”
— Mrs. Patmore, Downton Abbey, Season 1
![Downton Abbey quotes: Carson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-carson.jpg)
Carson on the future
“We must always travel in hope.”
— Carson, Downton Abbey, Season 5
Here are 25+ more hope quotes that will instantly lift you up.
![Cora, Lady Grantham - Downton Abbey Quotes](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-lady-grantham.jpg)
Lady Grantham on resilience
“You are being tested. And you know what they say my darling, being tested only makes you stronger.”
— Cora, Lady Grantham, Downton Abbey, Season 3
![Downton Abbey quotes: Mrs. Patmore](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-mrs-patmore.jpg)
Mrs. Patmore on taking action
“Sympathy butters no parsnips.”
— Mrs. Patmore, Downton Abbey, Season 5
Find out what Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore) had to say about the first Downton Abbey movie in an exclusive interview with Reader’s Digest Canada.
![Downton Abbey quotes: Robert, Lord Grantham](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-robert-lord-grantham.jpg)
Lord Grantham on etiquette
“There is nothing more ill-bred than trying to steal the affections of one’s dog.”
— Robert, Lord Grantham, Downton Abbey, Season 5
Here are 17 etiquette rules we should never have abandoned.
![Downton Abbey quotes: Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-4.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on a woman’s prerogative
“I’m a woman, Mary. I can be as contrary as I choose.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 2
![Downton Abbey quotes: Lady Sybil, Lady Mary and Lady Edith](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-sybil-mary-edith.jpg)
Sybil on making a difference
“It’s the gloomy things that need our help. If everything in the garden is sunny, why meddle?”
— Lady Sybil Crawley, Downton Abbey, Season 1
![Downton Abbey quotes from Lord Grantham](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-lord-grantham-2.jpg)
Lord Grantham on marriage
“There is no such thing as a marriage between two intelligent people that does not sometimes have to negotiate thin ice. I know. You must wait until things become clear. And they will. The damage cannot be irreparable when a man and a woman love each other as much as you do.”
— Robert, Lord Grantham, Downton Abbey, Season 4
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on stoicism
“You know me… Never complain, never explain.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 5
![Downton Abbey quotes from Mrs. Hughes](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-anna-thomas-mrs-hughes.jpg)
Mrs. Hughes on potential
“My advice, Daisy, is to go as far in life as God and luck allow.”
— Mrs. Hughes, Downton Abbey, Season 5
Here are more inspirational quotes that’ll lift you up.
![Downton Abbey quotes - Highclere Castle](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-highclere-castle.jpg)
Shrimpie on love
“Love is like riding or speaking French: if you don’t learn it young, it’s hard to get the trick of it later.”
— Hugh ‘Shrimpie’ MacClare, Marquess of Flintshire, Downton Abbey, Season 3
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-3.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on principles
“Principles are like prayers; noble, of course, but awkward at a party.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 5
These funny phrases can help you out of an awkward situation.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Cora, Lady Grantham](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-lady-grantham-2.jpg)
Lady Grantham on survival
“I think accepting change is quite as important as defending the past.”
— Cora, Lady Grantham, Downton Abbey, Season 3
![Downton Abbey quotes from Mrs. Patmore](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-mrs-patmore-daisy.jpg)
Mrs. Patmore on health care
“If you must pay money, better to a doctor than an undertaker.”
— Mrs. Patmore, Downton Abbey, Season 3
These doctor jokes will have you in stitches.
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-lord-grantham-lady-mary-dowager-countess.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on optimism
“Hope is a tease, designed to prevent us accepting reality.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 5
Don’t miss these profound quotes from TV’s The Good Life.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Dr. Clarkson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dr-clarkson-dowager-countess.jpg)
Dr. Clarkson on facing the music
“Harsh reality is always better than false hope.”
— Dr. Clarkson, Downton Abbey, Season 5
![Downton Abbey quotes from Branson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-branson-3.jpg)
Branson on love
“Real love means giving someone the power to hurt you.”
— Branson, Downton Abbey, Season 6
Check out the best romantic movies on Netflix right now.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Mrs. Patmore](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-mrs-patmore-2.jpg)
Mrs. Patmore on the importance of moving on
“You can’t spend too long on a one-sided love.”
— Mrs. Patmore, Downton Abbey, Season 3
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-5.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on good intentions
“Meaning well is not enough.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 1
Looking for more words of wisdom? Check out our roundup of great quotes from Doctor Who.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Mrs. Hughes](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-mrs-hughes-carson-isobel-lord-grantham.jpg)
Mrs. Hughes on loss
“We must all have our hearts broken once or twice before we’re done.”
— Mrs. Hughes, Downton Abbey, Season 4
![Downton Abbey quotes from Carson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-desktop.jpg)
Carson on finding purpose
“The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end that’s all there is.”
— Carson, Downton Abbey, Season 6
![Downton Abbey quotes from Lord Grantham](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-lord-grantham-3.jpg)
Lord Grantham on possibility
“Every mountain is unclimbable until someone climbs it; so every ship is unsinkable until it sinks.”
— Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham, Downton Abbey, Season 1
These powerful Marvel movie quotes will inspire your inner superhero.
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-6.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on sin
“If we only had moral thoughts, what would the poor churchmen find to do?”
—Violet, Dowager Countess, Season 5
![Downton Abbey quotes from Mrs. Patmore](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-mrs-patmore-3.jpg)
Mrs. Patmore on loss
“Nothing makes you hungrier or more tired than grief.”
— Mrs. Patmore, Downton Abbey, Season 1
Make sure you never say this at a funeral.
![Best Downton Abbey quotes (Highclere Castle)](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-highclere-castle-2.jpg)
Drewe on employment
“Work is like old age, m’lady—the worst thing in the world, except for the alternative.”
— Drewe, Downton Abbey, Season 4
Discover 40 daily habits that will help you live to 100—and love it.
![Downton Abbey Quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-isobel.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on introspection
“No life appears rewarding if you think too much about it.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 4
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-7.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on displays of emotion
“A lack of compassion can be as vulgar as an excess of tears.”
—Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 5
![Downton Abbey quotes from Carson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-champagne.jpg)
Carson on caution
“You’re nervous because you’re intelligent; only stupid people are foolhardy.”
— Carson, Downton Abbey, Season 4
Here’s expert advice on how to stop living in regret.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Mrs. Patmore](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-mrs-patmore-4.jpg)
Mrs. Patmore on young love
“Nothing is as changeable as a young man’s heart. Take hope and warning from that.”
— Mrs. Patmore, Downton Abbey, Season 4
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-8.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on independence
“Beware of being ‘too good at it.’ That’s the danger of living alone, it can be very hard to give up.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 6
![Downton Abbey quotes from Daisy](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-daisy.jpg)
Daisy on mindfulness
“I’ve decided to live in the present and not spend my life regretting the past or dreading the future.”
— Daisy, Downton Abbey, Season 5
![Downton Abbey Quotes - Dowager Countess Quotes](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-quotes.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
The Dowager Countess on potential
“We only know what we are capable of when we test our limits.”
—Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 6
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-10.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on the importance of motives
“My dear, love is a far more dangerous motive than dislike.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 5
![Downton Abbey quotes from Martha Levinson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-martha-levinson.jpg)
Martha on freedom
“Yes we do understand the importance of tradition and history. We just don’t give it power over us.”
— Martha Levinson, Downton Abbey, Season 3
![Downton Abbey quotes from Matthew Crawley](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-matthew.jpg)
Matthew on priorities
“War has a way of distinguishing between the things that matter and the things that don’t.”
— Matthew Crawley, Downton Abbey, Season 2
Here are some of the Dalai Lama’s most inspiring quotes.
![Downton Abbey quotes from the full cast](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-full-cast-2.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on overcoming obstacles
“All life is a series of problems, that we must try and solve.”
—Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 1
![Downton Abbey quotes from Anna](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-anna.jpg)
Anna on marriage
“I’d rather have the right man, than the right wedding.”
— Anna, Downton Abbey, Season 2
![Downton Abbey quotes from Carson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-carson-and-mrs-hughes.jpg)
Carson on growth
“What would be the point of living if we didn’t let life change us?”
— Carson, Downton Abbey, Season 1
Can’t get enough of British period dramas? Check out the best shows on BritBox Canada.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Bates](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-bates.jpg)
Bates on the dangers of living in the past
“I miss a lot of things; but you have to keep moving, don’t you?”
— Bates, Downton Abbey, Season 1
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-11.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on tragedy
“When tragedies strike, we try to find someone to blame. And in the absence of a suitable candidate, we usually blame ourselves. You are not to blame. No one is to blame.”
—Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 3
Don’t miss our roundup of the best quotes from The Crown.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Lady Edith](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-lady-edith.jpg)
Edith on finding meaning
“I know, we all need a purpose.”
— Lady Edith, Downton Abbey, Season 4
![Downton Abbey quotes from Mrs. Hughes](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-mrs-hughes-and-carson.jpg)
Mrs. Hughes on loss
“A broken heart can be as painful as a broken limb.”
— Mrs. Hughes, Downton Abbey, Season 2
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-15.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on socializing
“There’s nothing simpler than avoiding people you don’t like. Avoiding one’s friends, that’s the real test.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 5
Want to host a party worthy of the Crawleys? Don’t miss these entertaining tips from the cast and crew of Downton Abbey.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Carson](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-carson-7.jpg)
Carson on putting on a show
“In my opinion, to misquote Doctor Johnson, if you’re tired of style, you are tired of life.”
— Carson, Downton Abbey, Season 3
Check out these style secrets we learned from Downton Abbey.
![Downton Abbey quotes from Isobel Crawley](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-matthew-love.jpg)
Isobel on grief
“Aren’t we the lucky ones to have loved.”
— Isobel Crawley, Downton Abbey, Season 4
Find out the secrets of Highclere Castle—the real life Downton Abbey.
![Downton Abbey quotes from the Dowager Countess](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/downton-abbey-quotes-dowager-countess-12.jpg)
The Dowager Countess on honesty
“There can be too much truth in any relationship.”
— Violet, Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey, Season 4
If you enjoyed these classic Downton Abbey quotes, be sure to check out eight life lessons we learned from Downton Abbey.