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Quotes by English Authors
"Vimes had once discussed the Ephebian idea of 'democracy' with Carrot, and had been rather interested in the idea that everyone had a vote until he found out that while he, Vimes, would have a vote, there was no way in the rules that anyone could prevent Nobby Nobbs from having one as well. Vimes could see the flaw there straight away."
"I'll walk where my own nature would be leading: It vexes me to choose another guide."
"I think that the basic philosophy was very good. It was just be nice to each other, and don't step on other people's toes and infringe on their freedom."
"A zero-gravity flight is a first step toward space travel."
"I have never been afraid to stand up to the leadership on issues where we disagree. If you chose to keep Cambridge Labour, then I can continue to press the Government for the things that matter to you, in a way that members of the opposition are unable to."
"Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true."
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness."
"I don't think at my age... you can start ruling people out in politics."
"Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are dead."
"One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away."
"These are they whose youth was violently severed by war and death; a word on the telephone, a scribbled line on paper, and their future ceased. They have built up their lives again, but their safety is not absolute, their fortress not impregnable."
"Happy the man whose wish and care a few paternal acres bound, content to breathe his native air in his own ground."
"Hell isn't merely paved with good intentions; it's walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too."
"The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited; he must not make himself a nuisance to other people."
"He was a tubby little chap who looked as if he had been poured into his clothes and had forgotten to say "when!""
"I have good reason to be content,for thank God I can read andperhaps understand Shakespeare to his depths."
"The sudden disappointment of a hope leaves a scar which the ultimate fulfillment of that hope never entirely removes."
"I swear to use my scientific knowledge for the good of Humanity. I promise never to harm any person in my search for enlightenment.I shall be courageous and careful in my quest for greater knowledge about the mysteries that surround us. I shall not use scientific knowledge for my own personal gain or give it to those who seek to destroy the wonderful planet on which we live.If I break this oath, may the beauty and wonder of the Universe forever remain hidden from me."
"Despotism is the only form of government which may with safety to itself, neglect the education of its infant poor."
"A man who writes for a living does not have to go anywhere in particular, and he could rarely afford to if he wanted."
"Presumably there is indeed no purpose in the ultimate fate of the cosmos, but do any of us really tie our life's hopes to the ultimate fate of the cosmos anyway? Of course we don't; not if we are sane. Our lives are ruled by all sorts of closer, warmer, human ambitions and perceptions."
"Being a person is respect, because you're not a cat or a dog or a bunch of tulips, you're a human person and humanness isn't like something there can be different amounts of, it's maxed out from the start, total respect every time - kill one, kill a trainload, you're dissing the transcendental is all."
"A Parliament is that to the Commonwealth which the soul is to the body. It behoves us therefore to keep the facility of that soul from distemper."
"My visit this autumn is an opportunity to continue that rich tradition of visits between Canterbury and Rome."
"The mysterious is always attractive. People will always follow a vail."
"I see nobody on the road,' said Alice'I only wish I had such eyes,' The King remarked in a fretful tone. 'To be able to see Nobody! And at that distance too! Why it's as much as I can do to see real people, by this light!"
"I know it is a somewhat delicate matter to refuse a gift, but in this case the statue is so atrocious that every endeavour should be made to keep it out of the church."
"Love is like the wild rose-briar; Friendship like the holly-tree. The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms, but which will bloom most constantly?"
"Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friends."
"Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course."
"I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow."
"He who gives what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity; for the essence of generosity is in self sacrifice."
"That, sir, depends on whether I embrace your mistress or your politics."
"A private railroad car is not an acquired taste. One takes to it immediately."
"And how many hours a day did you do lessons?' said Alice, in a hurry to change the subject.Ten hours the first day,' said the Mock Turtle: 'nine the next, and so on.'What a curious plan!' exclaimed Alice.That's the reason they're called lessons,' the Gryphon remarked: 'because they lessen from day to day."
"When tenderness softened her heart, and the sublime feeling of universal love penetrated her, she found no voice that replied so well to hers as the gentle singing of the pines under the air of noon, and the soft murmurs of the breeze that scattered her hair and freshened her cheek, and the dashing of the waters that has no beginning or end."
"You need to become a good listener. As you're working, you hear someone else's lines and how you absorb them becomes your acting."
"I believe things cannot make themselves impossible."
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