Quotes by Writer | Beyond Motive 129/436

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Quotes by Writer

"Honestly we never lied to people about who we were. Usually the wackier interviews came to pass because the interview subjects, aware that we were Comedy Central, just wanted to get their stories out."

"Honestly we never lied to people about who we were. Usually the wackier interviews came to pass because the interview subjects, aware that we were Comedy Central, just wanted to get their stories out."

Mo Rocca, American Writer

41

"On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic."

"On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic."

Arthur Conan Doyle, British Writer

Investigation, Mystery, Curiosity, Art

41

"I love writers all across the board, but one who influenced me very directly at the beginning was Mary Renault."

"I love writers all across the board, but one who influenced me very directly at the beginning was Mary Renault."

Tanith Lee, British Writer

Love, Beginning, Writers

41

"You'll never understand me as long as you're looking at me through society's lenses."

"You'll never understand me as long as you're looking at me through society's lenses."

Robert Tew, American Writer

Awareness, Perception, Society, Judgment, Identity

41

"Women are all born with a special, independent organ that allows them to lie. This was Dr. Tokai's personal opinion. It depends on the person, he said about the kind of lies they tell, what situation they tell them in, and how the lies are told. But at a certain point in their lives, all women tell lies, and they lie about important things. They lie about unimportant things, too, but they also don't hesitate to lie about the most important things. And when they do, most women's expressions and voices don't change at all, since it's not them lysing, but this independent organ they're equipped with that's acting on its own. That's why - except for a few special cases - they can still have a clear conscience and never lose sleep over anything they say."

"Women are all born with a special, independent organ that allows them to lie. This was Dr. Tokai's personal opinion. It depends on the person, he said about the kind of lies they tell, what situation they tell them in, and how the lies are told. But at a certain point in their lives, all women tell lies, and they lie about important things. They lie about unimportant things, too, but they also don't hesitate to lie about the most important things. And when they do, most women's expressions and voices don't change at all, since it's not them lysing, but this independent organ they're equipped with that's acting on its own. That's why - except for a few special cases - they can still have a clear conscience and never lose sleep over anything they say."

Haruki Murakami, Japanese Writer

Death, Fear, Life, Truth

41

"The Japanese chose the principle of eternal peace as the basis of morality for our rebirth after the War."

"The Japanese chose the principle of eternal peace as the basis of morality for our rebirth after the War."

Kenzaburo Oe, Japanese Writer

Peace, War, Morality, Rebirth

41

"Plans are invitation to disappointment."

"Plans are invitation to disappointment."

Derek Landy, Irish Writer

Life, Disappointment, Expectation, Reality

41

"Because Larry, by then, was a drummer, who would sort of get bored and tired, and rather stand up and blow kisses to people. So we needed the bass to sort of drive along."

"Because Larry, by then, was a drummer, who would sort of get bored and tired, and rather stand up and blow kisses to people. So we needed the bass to sort of drive along."

Neil Innes, British Writer

41

"Travel definitely affects me as a writer."

"Travel definitely affects me as a writer."

Anthony Doerr, American Writer

41

"The most despairing songs are the most beautiful, and I know some immortal ones that are pure tears."

"The most despairing songs are the most beautiful, and I know some immortal ones that are pure tears."

Alfred de Musset, French Writer

Art, Songs, Tears

41

"A concept is stronger than a fact."

"A concept is stronger than a fact."

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, American Writer

41

"Conservatives, please. Let's not duplicate the manias of the Left as we figure out how to deal with Mr. Obama. He is not exactly the anti-Christ, although a disturbing number of people on the Right are convinced he is."

"Conservatives, please. Let's not duplicate the manias of the Left as we figure out how to deal with Mr. Obama. He is not exactly the anti-Christ, although a disturbing number of people on the Right are convinced he is."

David Horowitz, American Writer

41

"Two children of same cruel parent look at one another and see in each other the image of the cruel parent or the image of their past oppressor. This is very much the case between Jew and Arab: It's a conflict between two victims."

"Two children of same cruel parent look at one another and see in each other the image of the cruel parent or the image of their past oppressor. This is very much the case between Jew and Arab: It's a conflict between two victims."

Amos Oz, Israeli Writer

Family, Children, Conflict, Past, Victims

41

"To an intellectual who is adrift in politics, a theory is an aim; to a true politician his theory is a boundary."

"To an intellectual who is adrift in politics, a theory is an aim; to a true politician his theory is a boundary."

Francis Parker Yockey, American Writer

Politics, Theory

41

"I trusted her about as far as I could throw her. I was strong and she was small, but it still wasn't very far."

"I trusted her about as far as I could throw her. I was strong and she was small, but it still wasn't very far."

Ilona Andrews, American Writer

Distrust, Strength, Humor, Limitation

41

"To be witty is not enough. One must possess sufficient wit to avoid having too much of it."

"To be witty is not enough. One must possess sufficient wit to avoid having too much of it."

Andre Maurois, French Writer

Humor, Wit, Witty

41

"You must look within for value, but must look beyond for perspective."

"You must look within for value, but must look beyond for perspective."

Denis Waitley, American Writer

Values, Perspective, Value

41

"Once upon a time there was a piece of wood. It was not an expensive piece of wood. Far from it. Just a common block of firewood, one of those thick, solid logs that are put on the fire in winter to make cold rooms cozy and warm."

"Once upon a time there was a piece of wood. It was not an expensive piece of wood. Far from it. Just a common block of firewood, one of those thick, solid logs that are put on the fire in winter to make cold rooms cozy and warm."

Carlo Collodi, Italian Writer

Time, Fire, Winter, Wood

41

"I wouldn't describe that "position" as "parasitic." I'd describe that experience as "edifying." I don't merely write from a critical intellectual distance. I actually live around here."

"I wouldn't describe that "position" as "parasitic." I'd describe that experience as "edifying." I don't merely write from a critical intellectual distance. I actually live around here."

Bruce Sterling, American Writer

41

"A young and vital child knows no limit to his own will, and it is the only reality to him. It is not that he wants at the outset to fight other wills, but that they simply do not exist for him. Like the artist, he goes forth to the work of creation, gloriously alone."

"A young and vital child knows no limit to his own will, and it is the only reality to him. It is not that he wants at the outset to fight other wills, but that they simply do not exist for him. Like the artist, he goes forth to the work of creation, gloriously alone."

Jane Harrison, English Writer

Work, Artist, Creation, Fight

41

"We always keep God waiting while we admit more importunate suitors."

"We always keep God waiting while we admit more importunate suitors."

Malcolm De Chazal, French Writer

41

"The essence of lying is in deception, not in words."

"The essence of lying is in deception, not in words."

John Ruskin, English Writer

Deception, Lying, Words

41

"Make men wise, and by that very operation you make them free. Civil liberty follows as a consequence of this; no usurped power can stand against the artillery of opinion."

"Make men wise, and by that very operation you make them free. Civil liberty follows as a consequence of this; no usurped power can stand against the artillery of opinion."

William Godwin, English Writer

Man, Men, Power, Liberty, Opinion

41

"Religion deals in certainties and philosophy deals more in un-answered questions."

"Religion deals in certainties and philosophy deals more in un-answered questions."

Steve Hackett, English Writer

Religion, Deals, Philosophy, Questions

41

"The test of a vocation is the love of the drudgery it involves."

"The test of a vocation is the love of the drudgery it involves."

Logan P. Smith, American Writer

41

"It's obvious, but perhaps worth saying, that happiness has virtually nothing to do with the state of your intellect."

"It's obvious, but perhaps worth saying, that happiness has virtually nothing to do with the state of your intellect."

Daniel Keys Moran, American Writer

Happiness, Intellect, Nothing, Obvious

41

"I've learned that I get blocked when my subconscious mind is telling me that I've taken the work in a wrong direction, and that once I start listening to what my subconscious is trying to tell me, I can work out the problem and get moving again."

"I've learned that I get blocked when my subconscious mind is telling me that I've taken the work in a wrong direction, and that once I start listening to what my subconscious is trying to tell me, I can work out the problem and get moving again."

Walter Jon Williams, American Writer

Work, Direction, Listening, Mind

41

"Of course you don't make any noise in space, because there's no air."

"Of course you don't make any noise in space, because there's no air."

Kevin J. Anderson, American Writer

41

"Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View life as a continuous learning experience."

"Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View life as a continuous learning experience."

Denis Waitley, American Writer

Life, Experience, Expertise, Learning

41

"All of a sudden their husband's dead and maybe a child is dead and they have absolutely nothing - and they're heading through the desert at night."

"All of a sudden their husband's dead and maybe a child is dead and they have absolutely nothing - and they're heading through the desert at night."

Nicholas D. Kristof, American Writer

Philosophy, Husband, Night, Nothing

41

"It really is quite remarkable that Darfur has become a household name. I am gratified that's the case."

"It really is quite remarkable that Darfur has become a household name. I am gratified that's the case."

Nicholas D. Kristof, American Writer

Philosophy, Name, Remarkable

41

"The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words."

"The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words."

Philip K. Dick, American Writer

People, Control, Manipulation, Meaning

41

"Wisdom we know is the knowledge of good and evil, not the strength to choose between the two."

"Wisdom we know is the knowledge of good and evil, not the strength to choose between the two."

John Cheever, American Writer

Wisdom, Knowledge, Strength, Evil

41

"Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly."

"Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly."

M. F. K. Fisher, American Writer

Food, Act, Being, Sharing

41

"A man convinced against his will is not convinced."

"A man convinced against his will is not convinced."

Laurence J. Peter, Canadian Writer

41

"Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I don't need the competition."

"Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I don't need the competition."

Robert B. Parker, American Writer

People, Advice, Competition

41

"A Bachelor of Arts is one who makes love to a lot of women, and yet has the art to remain a bachelor."

"A Bachelor of Arts is one who makes love to a lot of women, and yet has the art to remain a bachelor."

Helen Rowland, American Writer

Love, Art, Women

41

"We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone - but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy."

"We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone - but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy."

Walter Anderson, German Writer

Love, Trust, Joy

41

"They can't find my house now because I keep it very quiet where I live."

"They can't find my house now because I keep it very quiet where I live."

James Herriot, British Writer

41

"Consider the Lichen. Lichens are just about the hardiest visible organisms on Earth, but the least ambitious."

"Consider the Lichen. Lichens are just about the hardiest visible organisms on Earth, but the least ambitious."

Bill Bryson, American Writer

Biology, Nature, Resilience, Simplicity, Survival

41

"Forget about the consequences of failure. Failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for your next success."

"Forget about the consequences of failure. Failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for your next success."

Denis Waitley, American Writer

Change, Success, Failure, Consequences

41

"Religious faith depends on a host of social, psychological and emotional factors that have little or nothing to do with probabilities, evidence and logic."

"Religious faith depends on a host of social, psychological and emotional factors that have little or nothing to do with probabilities, evidence and logic."

Michael Shermer, American Writer

Faith, Logic, Nothing, Religious

41

"What hypocrites we seem to be whenever we talk of ourselves! Our words sound so humble, while our hearts are so proud."

"What hypocrites we seem to be whenever we talk of ourselves! Our words sound so humble, while our hearts are so proud."

Augustus Hare, English Writer

Appearance, Sound, Talk, Words

41

"Thinking is the place where intelligent actions begin. We pause long enough to look more carefully at a situation, to see more of its character, to think about why it's happening, to notice how it's affecting us and others."

"Thinking is the place where intelligent actions begin. We pause long enough to look more carefully at a situation, to see more of its character, to think about why it's happening, to notice how it's affecting us and others."

Margaret J. Wheatley, American Writer

Character, Actions, Thinking

41

"I try to help people become the best possible editors of their own work, to help them become conscious of the things they do well, of the things they need to look at again, of the wells of material they have not even begun to dip their buckets into."

"I try to help people become the best possible editors of their own work, to help them become conscious of the things they do well, of the things they need to look at again, of the wells of material they have not even begun to dip their buckets into."

Tobias Wolff, American Writer

Work, People, Editors, Help

41

"Heredity is an omnibus in which all our ancestors ride and every now and then one of them puts his head out and embarrasses us."

"Heredity is an omnibus in which all our ancestors ride and every now and then one of them puts his head out and embarrasses us."

Oliver Wendell Holmes, American Writer

Biology, Ancestry, Identity, Family, History

41

"The idea led me into the research, which continues to give me more ideas for the story."

"The idea led me into the research, which continues to give me more ideas for the story."

Jean M. Auel, American Writer

Creativity, Idea, Ideas, Research

41

"In fact, the socialization gives us the tools to fill our evolutionary roles. They are our building blocks."

"In fact, the socialization gives us the tools to fill our evolutionary roles. They are our building blocks."

Warren Farrell, American Writer

Building, Fact, Tools

41

"It's probably why I'm a short story writer. I tend to remember things in the past in narrative form, in story form, and I grew up around people who told stories all the time."

"It's probably why I'm a short story writer. I tend to remember things in the past in narrative form, in story form, and I grew up around people who told stories all the time."

Tobias Wolff, American Writer

Time, People, Past

41

"The state of minds vary according to the angle under which one examines them."

"The state of minds vary according to the angle under which one examines them."

Ella Maillart, Swiss Writer

Perspective, State

41

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