How we cite our quotes: (Letter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The intention is, I tell you plainly, to mortify you into a sense of your duty (22.23)
Daddy Harlowe thinks Clarissa is lacking morally, and he isn't afraid to tell her so. But we can't tell if he's just laying it on thick with the moral stuff in order to make her obey him, or if he really does think she's violating an important principle.
Quote #2
I should easily, I think, detect a hypocrite: and this man particularly, who is said to have allowed himself in great liberties, were he to pretend to instantaneous lights and convictions […] (36.24)
Clarissa's B.S. detector is pretty good, and she catches on right away that Lovelace doesn't have much in the way of principles. Then again, she clearly thinks she can change Lovelace for the better, so maybe we won't take advice from her just yet.
Quote #3
She flies a thought that I can less dwell upon—a cruel thought!—but she has a poor opinion of the purity she compliments me with, if she thinks that I am not, by God's grace, above temptation from this sex (145.7)
Okay, so Clarissa isn't above mere mortals. She's definitely attracted to Lovelace, but she's determined not to cave in and do something she'll regret. Too bad that her principles don't stand up to rape and drugging.