Life lessons from Maggie Smith's Downton Abbey quotes

It has long been agreed that Maggie Smith is the best thing about Downton Abbey and, with all the witty quotes from her character, Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, we know why.

By Francesca MenatoPublished: 10 November 2014

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Meddling

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If you are the elderly matriarch of the family, don’t be afraid to share your opinions.

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Fashion

If you want to smarten up an outfit, a hat is always the solution.

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Life

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Too much self-assessment can bring despair.

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Decisions

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Decisions made out of love might not always be the right ones.

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Moods

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Emma Watson may have something to say about gender issues, but if you feeling moody, Violet has your back.

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Compassion

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It always pays to show a little bit of compassion for others.

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Religion

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Dinner party conversation is best kept light.

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Wit

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We imagine the countess wouldn’t be a big fan of Frankie Boyle. Keep your comedy smart, ladies.

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Emotions

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You must always be the master of your own emotions.

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Patience

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Lady Violet has no patience for people she's not friends with.

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Thinking

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Sometimes it's best not to overthink things.

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Taking sides

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It's a fine art to take sides without seeming to do so.

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Second chances

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As Lady Violet points out, there are only so many chances in life, so it's best to not have any regrets.

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