P.D. James quotes: wise famous quotes, sayings and quotations by P.D. James

P.D. James Famous Quotes & Sayings

Discover top inspirational quotes from P.D. James on Wise Famous Quotes.

P.D. James quotes: We live in a society which salves its conscience more by helping the interestingly unfortunate than the dull deserving ...

We live in a society which salves its conscience more by helping the interestingly unfortunate than the dull deserving ...

P.D. James quotes: Your concern would have more weight with us if you were sitting as you could be sitting on this side of the table.

Your concern would have more weight with us if you were sitting
as you could be sitting
on this side of the table.

P.D. James quotes: History, which interprets the past to understand the present and confront the future is the least rewarding discipline for a dying species.

History, which interprets the past to understand the present and confront the future is the least rewarding discipline for a dying species.

P.D. James quotes: I learned early and at that kitchen table that there are ways of avoiding, without guilt, the commitments of love.

I learned early and at that kitchen table that there are ways of avoiding, without guilt, the commitments of love.

P.D. James quotes: If you are proposing to commit a sin it is as well to commit it with intelligence. Otherwise you are insulting God as well as defying Him.

If you are proposing to commit a sin it is as well to commit it with intelligence. Otherwise you are insulting God as well as defying Him.

P.D. James quotes: It is never so difficult to congratulate a friend on her good fortune than when that fortune appears undeserved.

It is never so difficult to congratulate a friend on her good fortune than when that fortune appears undeserved.

P.D. James quotes: If the screams of all earth's living creatures were one scream of pain, surely it would shake the stars.

If the screams of all earth's living creatures were one scream of pain, surely it would shake the stars.

P.D. James quotes: If from infancy you treat children as gods, they are liable in adulthood to act as devils.

If from infancy you treat children as gods, they are liable in adulthood to act as devils.

P.D. James quotes: God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest.

God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest.

P.D. James quotes: Murder is the unique crime, the only one for which we can never make reparation to the victim.

Murder is the unique crime, the only one for which we can never make reparation to the victim.

P.D. James quotes: I don't think writers choose the genre, the genre chooses us. I wrote out of the wish to create order out of disorder, the liking of a pattern.

I don't think writers choose the genre, the genre chooses us. I wrote out of the wish to create order out of disorder, the liking of a pattern.

P.D. James quotes: Daniel supposed he had a secret life. Most people did; it was hardly possible to live without one.

Daniel supposed he had a secret life. Most people did; it was hardly possible to live without one.

P.D. James quotes: Most of my life I have needed more time to be on my own.

Most of my life I have needed more time to be on my own.

P.D. James quotes: Love, always love. Perhaps that's what we're all looking for. And if we don't get it early enough we panic in case we never shall.

Love, always love. Perhaps that's what we're all looking for. And if we don't get it early enough we panic in case we never shall.

P.D. James quotes: The unforgivable was usually the most easily forgiven.

The unforgivable was usually the most easily forgiven.

P.D. James quotes: We can experience nothing but the present moment, live in no other second of time, and to understand this is as close as we can get to eternal life.

We can experience nothing but the present moment, live in no other second of time, and to understand this is as close as we can get to eternal life.

P.D. James quotes: There are few couples as unhappy as those who are too proud to admit their unhappiness.

There are few couples as unhappy as those who are too proud to admit their unhappiness.

P.D. James quotes: Suicide is the most private and mysterious of acts, inexplicable because the chief actor is never there to explain it.

Suicide is the most private and mysterious of acts, inexplicable because the chief actor is never there to explain it.

P.D. James quotes: For me, the dead remain dead. If I couldn't believe that, I don't think I could go on living.

For me, the dead remain dead. If I couldn't believe that, I don't think I could go on living.

P.D. James quotes: We have all sinned, Mr. Darcy, and we cannot look for mercy without showing it in our lives.

We have all sinned, Mr. Darcy, and we cannot look for mercy without showing it in our lives.

P.D. James quotes: Wars may be fought by decent men, but they're not won by them.

Wars may be fought by decent men, but they're not won by them.

P.D. James quotes: We all die alone. We shall endure death as once we endured birth. You can't share either experience.

We all die alone. We shall endure death as once we endured birth. You can't share either experience.

P.D. James quotes: If all power corrupts, then a doctor, who literally holds life and death in his hands, must be at particular risk.

If all power corrupts, then a doctor, who literally holds life and death in his hands, must be at particular risk.

P.D. James quotes: Children are always ready to believe that adult catastrophes are their fault.

Children are always ready to believe that adult catastrophes are their fault.

P.D. James quotes: The very old, he thought, make our past. Once they go it seems for a moment that neither it nor we have any real existence.

The very old, he thought, make our past. Once they go it seems for a moment that neither it nor we have any real existence.

P.D. James quotes: Delightful and sensitive boys have a habit of growing into insensitive and far-from-agreeable men.

Delightful and sensitive boys have a habit of growing into insensitive and far-from-agreeable men.

P.D. James quotes: It is difficult to be generous-minded to those we have greatly harmed.

It is difficult to be generous-minded to those we have greatly harmed.

P.D. James quotes: I knew the facts of death before I knew the facts of life. There never was a time when I didn't see the skull beneath the skin.

I knew the facts of death before I knew the facts of life. There never was a time when I didn't see the skull beneath the skin.

P.D. James quotes: Absolute nakedness was intrusive, confusing to the senses. Paradoxically, it both revealed and diminished identity.

Absolute nakedness was intrusive, confusing to the senses. Paradoxically, it both revealed and diminished identity.

P.D. James quotes: It is always easy to question the judgement of others in matters of which we may be imperfectly informed.

It is always easy to question the judgement of others in matters of which we may be imperfectly informed.

P.D. James quotes: The greatest mystery of all is the human heart,

The greatest mystery of all is the human heart,

P.D. James quotes: Man is diminished if he lives without knowledge of his past; without hope of a future he becomes a beast.

Man is diminished if he lives without knowledge of his past; without hope of a future he becomes a beast.

P.D. James quotes: Childhood is the one prison from which there's no escape, the one sentence from which there's no appeal. We all serve our time.

Childhood is the one prison from which there's no escape, the one sentence from which there's no appeal. We all serve our time.

P.D. James quotes: When I heard, Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, I thought, Did he fall or was he pushed?

When I heard, Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, I thought, Did he fall or was he pushed?

P.D. James quotes: Time didn't heal, but it anesthetized. The human mind could only feel so much.

Time didn't heal, but it anesthetized. The human mind could only feel so much.

P.D. James quotes: Beauty is intellectually confusing; it sabotages common sense.

Beauty is intellectually confusing; it sabotages common sense.

P.D. James quotes: Gossip ... was like any other commodity in the marketplace. You received it only if you had something of value to give.

Gossip ... was like any other commodity in the marketplace. You received it only if you had something of value to give.

P.D. James quotes: A politician is required to listen to humbug, talk humbug, condone humbug. The most we can hope for is that we don't actually believe it.

A politician is required to listen to humbug, talk humbug, condone humbug. The most we can hope for is that we don't actually believe it.

P.D. James quotes: What mattered at fifty-eight was what had mattered at eighteen: breeding and good bone structure.

What mattered at fifty-eight was what had mattered at eighteen: breeding and good bone structure.

P.D. James quotes: A nation that can't remember its dead will soon cease to be worth dying for.

A nation that can't remember its dead will soon cease to be worth dying for.

P.D. James quotes: Can we ever break free of the devices and desires of our own hearts? Might not our conscience be telling us what we most want to hear?

Can we ever break free of the devices and desires of our own hearts? Might not our conscience be telling us what we most want to hear?

P.D. James quotes: Publishers don't nurse you; they buy and sell you.

Publishers don't nurse you; they buy and sell you.

P.D. James quotes: The dinosaur, with its small brain, had survived for a couple of million years; it had done better than Homo sapiens.

The dinosaur, with its small brain, had survived for a couple of million years; it had done better than Homo sapiens.

P.D. James quotes: You'd like the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. That must be the most futile oath anyone ever swears.

You'd like the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. That must be the most futile oath anyone ever swears.

P.D. James quotes: However long we have to live, there are never enough springs.

However long we have to live, there are never enough springs.

P.D. James quotes: There are few activities so agreeable as spending a friend's money to your own satisfaction and his benefit.

There are few activities so agreeable as spending a friend's money to your own satisfaction and his benefit.

P.D. James quotes: It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.

It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.

P.D. James quotes: It is interesting how often unintelligent, even stupid, women manage their emotional lives more satisfactorily than do their cleverer sisters.

It is interesting how often unintelligent, even stupid, women manage their emotional lives more satisfactorily than do their cleverer sisters.

P.D. James quotes: Fear is the devil to hide.

Fear is the devil to hide.

P.D. James quotes: Work did bestow dignity, status, meaning. Wasn't that why people dreaded unemployment, why some men found retirement so traumatic?

Work did bestow dignity, status, meaning. Wasn't that why people dreaded unemployment, why some men found retirement so traumatic?

P.D. James quotes: What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give.

What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give.

P.D. James quotes: The television image sanctified, conferred identity. The more familiar the face, the more to be trusted.

The television image sanctified, conferred identity. The more familiar the face, the more to be trusted.

P.D. James quotes: We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends.

We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends.

P.D. James quotes: You won't get love from a child if you don't give love.

You won't get love from a child if you don't give love.

P.D. James quotes: We are neither of us the people we were then. Let us look on the past only as it gives us pleasure, and to the future with confidence and hope.

We are neither of us the people we were then. Let us look on the past only as it gives us pleasure, and to the future with confidence and hope.

P.D. James quotes: Youth goes caparisoned in immortality.

Youth goes caparisoned in immortality.

P.D. James quotes: All fiction is largely autobiographical and much autobiography is, of course, fiction.

All fiction is largely autobiographical and much autobiography is, of course, fiction.

P.D. James quotes: Crime fiction confirms our belief, despite some evidence to the contrary, that we live in a rational, comprehensible, and moral universe.

Crime fiction confirms our belief, despite some evidence to the contrary, that we live in a rational, comprehensible, and moral universe.

P.D. James quotes: The attempt to analyse was, of course, an attempt at exorcism.

The attempt to analyse was, of course, an attempt at exorcism.

P.D. James quotes: She had quickly learned that to show unhappiness was to risk the loss of love.

She had quickly learned that to show unhappiness was to risk the loss of love.

P.D. James quotes: Since even the most fastidious among us can rarely escape hearing salacious local gossip, it is as well to enjoy what cannot be avoided.

Since even the most fastidious among us can rarely escape hearing salacious local gossip, it is as well to enjoy what cannot be avoided.

P.D. James quotes: We need, all of us, to be in control of our lives, and we shrink them until they're small and mean enough so that we feel in control.

We need, all of us, to be in control of our lives, and we shrink them until they're small and mean enough so that we feel in control.

P.D. James quotes: Henry James's definition of the purpose of a novel: To help the human heart to know itself.

Henry James's definition of the purpose of a novel: To help the human heart to know itself.

P.D. James quotes: Old age makes caricatures of us all.

Old age makes caricatures of us all.

P.D. James quotes: No government can act in advance of the moral will of the people.

No government can act in advance of the moral will of the people.

P.D. James quotes: First-class travel, provided one hasn't to pay for it oneself, is the most insidiously addictive of life's luxuries.

First-class travel, provided one hasn't to pay for it oneself, is the most insidiously addictive of life's luxuries.

P.D. James quotes: Every island to a child is a treasure island.

Every island to a child is a treasure island.

P.D. James quotes: Surely it is important that people who love each other should be able to speak openly and truly about matters which touch them.

Surely it is important that people who love each other should be able to speak openly and truly about matters which touch them.

P.D. James quotes: It shows considerable wisdom to know what you want in life and then to direct all your energies towards getting it.

It shows considerable wisdom to know what you want in life and then to direct all your energies towards getting it.

P.D. James quotes: Mrs. Maxie wondered whether anyone could be as stupid as Sir Reynold appeared to be

Mrs. Maxie wondered whether anyone could be as stupid as Sir Reynold appeared to be

P.D. James quotes: What was so terrible about grief was not grief itself, but that one got over it.

What was so terrible about grief was not grief itself, but that one got over it.

P.D. James quotes: We are often more merciful to our animals [cats] than we are to each other.

We are often more merciful to our animals [cats] than we are to each other.

P.D. James quotes: Increase your word power. Words are the raw material of our craft.

Increase your word power. Words are the raw material of our craft.

P.D. James quotes: One does not kill to avoid social inconvenience.

One does not kill to avoid social inconvenience.

P.D. James quotes: I don't want anyone to look to me, not for protection, not for happiness, not for love, not for anything.

I don't want anyone to look to me, not for protection, not for happiness, not for love, not for anything.

P.D. James quotes: Ambition, if it were to be savored, let alone achieved, had to be rooted in possibility.

Ambition, if it were to be savored, let alone achieved, had to be rooted in possibility.

P.D. James quotes: The equally is a political theory, but no a practical politics.

The equally is a political theory, but no a practical politics.

P.D. James quotes: Creativity doesn't flourish in an atmosphere of despotism, coercion and fear.

Creativity doesn't flourish in an atmosphere of despotism, coercion and fear.

P.D. James quotes: The secret of contentment is never to allow yourself to want anything which reason tells you you haven't a chance of getting.

The secret of contentment is never to allow yourself to want anything which reason tells you you haven't a chance of getting.

P.D. James quotes: People were excited by violence. What, after all, was the sexual act but a voluntarily endured assault, a momentary death?

People were excited by violence. What, after all, was the sexual act but a voluntarily endured assault, a momentary death?

P.D. James quotes: You never forget the people who were kind to you in childhood, do you, sir?

You never forget the people who were kind to you in childhood, do you, sir?

P.D. James quotes: Metaphysical speculation is about as pointless as a discussion on the meaning of one's lungs. They're for breathing.

Metaphysical speculation is about as pointless as a discussion on the meaning of one's lungs. They're for breathing.

P.D. James quotes: I have enough trouble living with my own neurosis without coping with other people's.

I have enough trouble living with my own neurosis without coping with other people's.

P.D. James quotes: Death ... obliterates family resemblance as it does personality: there is no affinity between the living and the dead.

Death ... obliterates family resemblance as it does personality: there is no affinity between the living and the dead.

P.D. James quotes: Feel, he told himself, feel, feel, feel. Even if what you feel is pain, only let yourself feel.

Feel, he told himself, feel, feel, feel. Even if what you feel is pain, only let yourself feel.

P.D. James quotes: Dalgliesh was too experienced to assume that fear implied guilt; it was often the most innocent who were the most terrified.

Dalgliesh was too experienced to assume that fear implied guilt; it was often the most innocent who were the most terrified.

P.D. James quotes: People should make up their minds whether to live or to die and do one or the other with the least inconvenience to others.

People should make up their minds whether to live or to die and do one or the other with the least inconvenience to others.

P.D. James quotes: Darcy took the view that if family amity required him to meet people with whom he had little in common, it were best done at their expense not his.

Darcy took the view that if family amity required him to meet people with whom he had little in common, it were best done at their expense not his.

P.D. James quotes: dresses, some of the girls in clothes which

dresses, some of the girls in clothes which

P.D. James quotes: Write what you need to write, not what is currently popular or what you think will sell.

Write what you need to write, not what is currently popular or what you think will sell.

P.D. James quotes: All the motives for murder are covered by four Ls: Love, Lust, Lucre and Loathing.

All the motives for murder are covered by four Ls: Love, Lust, Lucre and Loathing.

P.D. James quotes: We can forgive anything as long as it isn't done to us.

We can forgive anything as long as it isn't done to us.

P.D. James quotes: Guilt is more commonly felt by the innocent than by the culpable,

Guilt is more commonly felt by the innocent than by the culpable,

P.D. James quotes: I was like a little boy showing off my toys, desperate to win approval.

I was like a little boy showing off my toys, desperate to win approval.

P.D. James quotes: A regime which combines perpetual surveillance with total indulgence is hardly conducive to healthy development.

A regime which combines perpetual surveillance with total indulgence is hardly conducive to healthy development.

P.D. James quotes: The cultured cop! I thought they were peculiar to detective novels.

The cultured cop! I thought they were peculiar to detective novels.

P.D. James quotes: Don't just plan to write - write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style.

Don't just plan to write - write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style.

P.D. James quotes: It is some centuries since we accepted that a woman has a soul. Is it not time that we accepted that she also has a mind?

It is some centuries since we accepted that a woman has a soul. Is it not time that we accepted that she also has a mind?

P.D. James quotes: Equality is a political theory not a practical policy ...

Equality is a political theory not a practical policy ...

P.D. James quotes: (A murderer about their victimHe was an expert in vicarious death. I should like to have been there to see how he enjoyed the real thing.

(A murderer about their victim
He was an expert in vicarious death. I should like to have been there to see how he enjoyed the real thing.