Some Gaskell

Here are a couple quotes that come from a section of Mary Barton (one of the novels I am currently writing about). They have nothing to do with what I am writing (on class structure and the power of the written word) but I liked the truth in them:

Opportunities are not often wanting where inclination goes before.

I do not know what points of resemblance (or dissimilitude, for the one joins people as often as the other) attracted the two girls to each other. Margaret had the great charm of possessing good strong common sense, and do you not percieve how involuntarily this is valued? It is so pleasant to have a friend who possesses the power of setting a difficult question in a clear light; whose judgment can tell what is best to be done; and who is so convinced of what is "wisest, best," that in consideration of the end, all difficulties in the way diminish. People admire talent, and talk about their admiration. But they value common sense without talking about it, and often without knowing it.