The Oxford dictionary of modern quotations (48 page)

Vereker's secret, my dear man--the general intention of his books: the

string the pearls were strung on, the buried treasure, the figure in the

carpet.

Figure in the Carpet (1896) ch. 11

It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature.

Hawthorne (1879) ch. 1

Whatever question there may be of his [Thoreau's] talent, there can be

none, I think, of his genius. It was a slim and crooked one; but it was

eminently personal. He was imperfect, unfinished, inartistic; he was worse

than provincial--he was parochial.

Hawthorne (1879) ch. 4

Cats and monkeys--monkeys and cats--all human life is there!

Madonna of the Future (1879) vol. 1, p. 59 ("All human life is there" was

used by Maurice Smelt as an advertising slogan for the News of the World

in the late 1950s)

They have fairly faced the full, the monstrous demonstration that Tennyson

was not Tennysonian.

Middle Years (1917 autobiography) ch. 6

The only reason for the existence of a novel is that it does attempt to

represent life.

Partial Portraits (1888) "Art of Fiction"

The only obligation to which in advance we may hold a novel, without

incurring the accusation of being arbitrary, is that it be interesting.

Partial Portraits (1888) "Art of Fiction"

Experience is never limited, and it is never complete; it is an immense

sensibility, a kind of huge spider-web of the finest silken threads

suspended in the chamber of consciousness, and catching every air-borne

particle in its tissue.

Partial Portraits (1888) "Art of Fiction"

What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but

the illustration of character? What is either a picture or a novel that is

not character?

Partial Portraits (1888) "Art of Fiction"

We must grant the artist his subject, his idea, his donn�e: our criticism

is applied only to what he makes of it.

Partial Portraits (1888) "Art of Fiction"

I don't care anything about reasons, but I know what I like.

Portrait of a Lady (1881) vol. 2, ch. 5. Cf. Max Beerbohm 23:14

I didn't, of course, stay her hand--there never is in such cases "time";

and I had once more the full demonstration of the fatal futility of Fact.

Spoils of Poynton (1909 ed.) preface

We were alone with the quiet day, and his little heart, dispossessed, had

stopped.

Turn of the Screw (1898) p. 169

10.5 William James =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1842-1910

Man, biologically considered, and whatever else he may be into the

bargain, is simply the most formidable of all the beasts of prey, and,

indeed, the only one that preys systematically on its own species.

Atlantic Monthly Dec. 1904, p. 845

I now perceive one immense omission in my Psychology,--the deepest

principle of Human Nature is the craving to be appreciated, and I left it

out altogether from the book, because I had never had it gratified till

now.

Letter to his class at Radcliffe College, 6 Apr. 1896, in Letters (1920)

vol. 2, p. 33

The moral flabbiness born of the exclusive worship of the bitch-goddess

success. That--with the squalid cash interpretation put on the word

success--is our national disease.

Letter to H. G. Wells, 11 Sept. 1906, in Letters (1920) vol. 2, p. 260

Real culture lives by sympathies and admirations, not by dislikes and

disdains--under all misleading wrappings it pounces unerringly upon the

human core.

McClure's Magazine Feb. 1908, p. 422

So long as antimilitarists propose no substitute for war's disciplinary

function, no moral equivalent of war, analogous, as one might say, to the

mechanical equivalent of heat, so long they fail to realize the full

inwardness of the situation.

Memories and Studies (1911) "The Moral Equivalent of War" p. 283

There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is

habitual but indecision.

Principles of Psychology (1890) vol. 1, ch. 4

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.

Principles of Psychology (1890) vol. 2, ch. 22

The first thing to learn in intercourse with others is non-interference

with their own peculiar ways of being happy, provided those ways do not

assume to interfere by violence with ours.

Talks to Teachers (1899) "What makes a Life Significant?"

If merely "feeling good" could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely

valid human experience.

Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) lecture 1, p. 16

An idea, to be suggestive, must come to the individual with the force of a

revelation.

Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) lectures 4 and 5, p. 113

There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it.

Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) lectures 14 and 15, p. 355

10.6 Randall Jarrell =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1914-1965

One of the most obvious facts about grown-ups, to a child, is that they

have forgotten what it is like to be a child.

Introduction to Christina Stead The Man Who Loved Children (1965) p. xxvi

10.7 Douglas Jay =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1907-

It was Bert Amey who asked me to send him a brief rhyming North Battersea

slogan [for the 1946 by-election]. I suggested: "Fair Shares for All, is

Labour's Call"; and from this by-election "Fair Shares for All" spread in

a few years round the country.

Change and Fortune (1980) ch. 7

For in the case of nutrition and health, just as in the case of education,

the gentleman in Whitehall really does know better what is good for people

than the people know themselves.

Socialist Case (1939) ch. 30

10.8 Sir James Jeans =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1877-1946

Taking a very gloomy view of the future of the human race, let us suppose

that it can only expect to survive for two thousand million years longer,

a period about equal to the past age of the earth. Then, regarded as a

being destined to live for three-score years and ten, humanity, although

it has been born in a house seventy years old, is itself only three days

old.

Eos (1928) p. 12

Life exists in the universe only because the carbon atom possesses certain

exceptional properties.

Mysterious Universe (1930) ch. 1

From the intrinsic evidence of his creation, the Great Architect of the

Universe now begins to appear as a pure mathematician.

Mysterious Universe (1930) ch. 5

10.9 Patrick Jenkin =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1926-

People can clean their teeth in the dark, use the top of the stove instead

of the oven, all sorts of savings, but they must use less electricity.

Radio broadcast, 15 Jan. 1974, in The Times 16 Jan. 1974

10.10 Rt. Revd David Jenkins (Bishop of Durham) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1925-

I wouldn't put it past God to arrange a virgin birth if he wanted to, but

I very much doubt if he would--because it seems to be contrary to the way

in which he deals with persons and brings his wonders out of natural

personal relationships.

In Church Times 4 May 1984

The withdrawal of an imported, elderly American [Ian MacGregor] to leave a

reconciling opportunity for some local product is surely neither

dishonourable nor improper.

In The Times 22 Sept. 1984

10.11 Roy Jenkins (Baron Jenkins of Hillhead) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1920-

The politics of the left and centre of this country are frozen in an

out-of-date mould which is bad for the political and economic health of

Britain and increasingly inhibiting for those who live within the mould.

Can it be broken?

Speech to Parliamentary Press Gallery, 9 June 1980, in The Times 10 June

1980

10.12 Paul Jennings =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1918-1989

I am prepared to testify on oath that on the portico pillars of one

building there is a bronze office sign which simply says: ACTIVATED

SLUDGE.

Oddly Enough (1950) "Activated Sludge"

Clark-Trimble arranged four hundred pieces of carpet in ascending degrees

of quality, from coarse matting to priceless Chinese silk. Pieces of

toast and marmalade, graded, weighed, and measured, were then dropped on

each piece of carpet, and the marmalade-downwards incidence was

statistically analysed. The toast fell right-side-up every time on the

cheap carpet...and it fell marmalade-downwards every time on the Chinese

silk.

Town and Country Sept. 1949, "Report on Resistentialism"

10.13 Jerome K. Jerome =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1859-1927

It is always the best policy to speak the truth--unless, of course, you

are an exceptionally good liar.

The Idler Feb. 1892, p. 118

It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work

to do.

Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow (1886) "On Being Idle"

Love is like the measles; we all have to go through it.

Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow (1886) "On Being in Love"

We drink one another's healths, and spoil our own.

Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow (1886) "On Eating and Drinking"

The world must be getting old, I think; it dresses so very soberly now.

Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow (1886) "On Dress and Deportment"

I did not intend to write a funny book, at first. I did not know I was a

humorist. I have never been sure about it. In the middle ages, I should

probably have gone about preaching and got myself burnt or hanged.

My Life and Times (1926) ch. 6

The passing of the third floor back.

Title of story (1907) and play (1910)

I want a house that has got over all its troubles; I don't want to spend

the rest of my life bringing up a young and inexperienced house.

They and I (1909) ch. 11

It is a most extraordinary thing, but I never read a patent medicine

advertisement without being impelled to the conclusion that I am suffering

from the particular disease therein dealt with in its most virulent form.

Three Men in a Boat (1889) ch. 1

But there, everything has its drawbacks, as the man said when his

mother-in-law died, and they came down upon him for the funeral expenses.

Three Men in a Boat (1889) ch. 3

I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours. I love

to keep it by me: the idea of getting rid of it nearly breaks my heart.

Three Men in a Boat (1889) ch. 15

10.14 William Jerome =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1865-1932

Any old place I can hang my hat is home sweet home to me.

Title of song (1901; music by Jean Schwartz)

You needn't try to reason,

Your excuse is out of season,

Just kiss yourself goodbye.

Just Kiss Yourself Goodbye (1902 song; music by Jean Schwartz)

10.15 C. E. M. Joad =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1891-1953

It all depends what you mean by...

Frequent opening to replies on the BBC radio series "The Brains Trust"

(originally "Any Questions"), 1941-8

My life is spent in a perpetual alternation between two rhythms, the

rhythm of attracting people for fear I may be lonely, and the rhythm of

trying to get rid of them because I know that I am bored.

In Observer 12 Dec. 1948, p. 2

10.16 Pope John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1881-1963

If civil authorities legislate for or allow anything that is contrary to

that order and therefore contrary to the will of God, neither the laws

made or the authorizations granted can be binding on the consciences of

the citizens, since God has more right to be obeyed than man.

Pacem in Terris (1963) p. 142

The social progress, order, security and peace of each country are

necessarily connected with the social progress, order, security and peace

of all other countries.

Pacem in Terris (1963) p. 150

John XXIII said that during the first months of his pontificate he often

woke during the night, thinking himself still a cardinal and worried over

a difficult decision to be made, and he would say to himself: "I'll talk

it over with the Pope!" Then he would remember where he was. "But I'm the

Pope!" he said to himself. After which he would conclude: "Well I'll talk

it over with Our Lord!"

Henri Fesquet Wit and Wisdom of Good Pope John (1964) p. 59

Anybody can be pope; the proof of this is that I have become one.

Henri Fesquet Wit and Wisdom of Good Pope John (1964) p. 112

10.17 Lyndon Baines Johnson =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1908-1973

I don't want loyalty. I want loyalty. I want him to kiss my ass in Macy's