My top 10 quotes from OUTLANDER

In honor of today's publication of the 20th Anniversary edition of OUTLANDER, here are my top 10 favorite quotes from OUTLANDER.

All quotes are copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon. Page numbers refer to the older hardcover edition with the blue cover.

1) "A Highlander in full regalia is an impressive sight--any Highlander, no matter how old, ill-favored, or crabbed in appearance.  A tall, straight-bodied, and by no means ill-favored young Highlander at close range is breath-taking." (Chapter 14, "A Marriage Takes Place", p. 190)

2) "You bluffed your way in here with an empty gun?" (Chapter 21, "Une Mauvais Quart d'Heure After Another", p. 278)

3) "Don't be afraid," he whispered into my hair.  "There's the two of us now." (Chapter 15, "Revelations of the Bridal Chamber", p. 212)

4) "Seasick?" I said incredulously.  "Scotsmen aren't seasick!"

Murtagh was testy.  "Then mayhap he's a red-heided Hottentot.  All I know is he's green as a rotten fish and pukin' his guts out.  Are ye goin' to come down and help me stop him puttin' his ribs out through his chest?"
(Chapter 37, "Escape", p. 568)

5) "And if your life is a suitable exchange for my honor, tell me why my honor is not a suitable exchange for your life?"  The brows drew together in a scowl, the twin of the one adorning her brother's face.  "Or are you telling me that I may not love you as much as you love me?  Because if ye are, Jamie Fraser, I'll tell ye right now, it's not true!" (Chapter 26, "The Laird's Return", p. 432)

6) "Aye, I believe ye, Sassenach.  But it would ha' been a good deal easier if you'd only been a witch." (Chapter 25, "Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live", p. 406)

7) "Twenty-seven years of propriety were no match for several hundred thousand years of instinct.  While my mind might object to being taken on a bare rock next to several sleeping soldiers, my body plainly considered itself the spoils of war and was eager to complete the formalities of surrender." (Chapter 18, "Raiders in the Rocks", p. 251)

8) "Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone,
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.
I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done."
(Chapter 14, "A Marriage Takes Place", p. 195)

9) "You can't," I whispered.  "You can't.  I won't let you."

His mouth was warm against my ear.  "Claire, I'm to hang in the morning.  What happens to me between now and then doesna matter to anyone."  I drew back and stared at him.

"It matters to me!" The strained lips quivered in what was almost a smile, and he raised his free hand and laid it against my wet cheek.

"I know it does, mo duinne.  And that's why you'll go now."  He drew me close again, kissed me gently and whispered in Gaelic, "He will let you go because he thinks you are helpless.  I know you are not."  Releasing me, he said in English, "I love you.  Go now."
(Chapter 35, "Wentworth Prison", p. 533)

10) "Go ahead," he said, a moment later.  "Open it.  It's yours."

The outlines of the little package blurred under my fingers.  I blinked and sniffed, but made no move to open it.  "I'm sorry," I said.

"Well, so ye should be, Sassenach," he said, but his voice was no longer angry.  Reaching, he took the package from my lap and tore away the wrapping, revealing a wide silver band, decorated in the Highland interlace style, a small and delicate Jacobean thistle bloom carved in the center of each link.

So much I saw, and then my eyes blurred again.
(Chapter 23, "Return to Leoch", p. 317)

I hope you enjoy these!