Who said “When people ask for time, it's always for time to say no. Yes has one more letter in it,…”?

Verified

Edith Wharton. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Children (1928), ch. XXV

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“When people ask for time, it's always for time to say no. Yes has one more letter in it, but it doesn't take half as long to say.”
— Edith Wharton
VerifiedThe Children (1928), ch. XXV · evidenceDecisions

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Children (1928), ch. XXV.

APA

Wharton, E. (n.d.). When people ask for time, it's always for time to say no. Yes has one more letter in it, but it doesn't take half as long to say. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13070-when-people-ask-for-time-its-always-for/

MLA

Wharton, Edith. “When people ask for time, it's always for time to say no. Yes has one more letter in it, but it doesn't take half as long to say.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13070-when-people-ask-for-time-its-always-for/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wharton, Edith. “When people ask for time, it's always for time to say no. Yes has one more letter in it, but it doesn't take half as long to say.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13070-when-people-ask-for-time-its-always-for/.

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