Robertson Davies Quotes

Top 100 wise famous quotes and sayings by Robertson Davies

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Robertson Davies Famous Quotes & Sayings

Discover top inspirational quotes from Robertson Davies on Wise Famous Quotes.

Robertson Davies quotes: In my experience tact is usually worse than the brutalities of truth. In my experience tact is usually worse than the brutalities of truth.
Robertson Davies quotes: The paradox of money is that when you have lots of it you can manage life quite cheaply. Nothing so economical as being rich. The paradox of money is that when you have lots of it you can manage life quite cheaply. Nothing so economical as being rich.
Robertson Davies quotes: But I was a lonely creature, and although I would have been very happy to have a friend I just never happened to meet one. But I was a lonely creature, and although I would have been very happy to have a friend I just never happened to meet one.
Robertson Davies quotes: I still have trouble identifying grammatical structures by name, though I know them as matters of usage. I still have trouble identifying grammatical structures by name, though I know them as matters of usage.
Robertson Davies quotes: May I make a suggestion, hoping it is not an impertinence? Write it down: write down what you feel. It is sometimes a wonderful help in misery. May I make a suggestion, hoping it is not an impertinence? Write it down: write down what you feel. It is sometimes a wonderful help in misery.
Robertson Davies quotes: I do not 'get' ideas; ideas get me. I do not 'get' ideas; ideas get me.
Robertson Davies quotes: The wit of a graduate student is like champagne. Canadian champagne. The wit of a graduate student is like champagne. Canadian champagne.
Robertson Davies quotes: People are not saints just because they haven't got much money or education. People are not saints just because they haven't got much money or education.
Robertson Davies quotes: I saw corpses, and grew used to their unimportant look, for a dead man without any of the panoply of death is a desperately insignificant object. I saw corpses, and grew used to their unimportant look, for a dead man without any of the panoply of death is a desperately insignificant object.
Robertson Davies quotes: The Bible takes much of its color from whoever is reading it, and it provides a text to support almost every shade of opinion, however preposterous. The Bible takes much of its color from whoever is reading it, and it provides a text to support almost every shade of opinion, however preposterous.
Robertson Davies quotes: There's the satisfaction of Eng-Lang-and-Lit; somebody else has said everything for you, and said it better. There's the satisfaction of Eng-Lang-and-Lit; somebody else has said everything for you, and said it better.
Robertson Davies quotes: It is lost, lovely child, somewhere in the ragbag that I laughingly refer to as my memory. It is lost, lovely child, somewhere in the ragbag that I laughingly refer to as my memory.
Robertson Davies quotes: Curiosity is part of the cement that holds society together. Curiosity is part of the cement that holds society together.
Robertson Davies quotes: You are like a fire: you warm me. You are like a fire: you warm me.
Robertson Davies quotes: I never heard of anyone who was really literate or who ever really loved books who wanted to suppress any of them. I never heard of anyone who was really literate or who ever really loved books who wanted to suppress any of them.
Robertson Davies quotes: She has been kissed as often as a police-court Bible, and by much the same class of people. She has been kissed as often as a police-court Bible, and by much the same class of people.
Robertson Davies quotes: Tristan and Isolde were lucky to die when they did. They'd have been sick of all that rubbish in a year. Tristan and Isolde were lucky to die when they did. They'd have been sick of all that rubbish in a year.
Robertson Davies quotes: There is really no such thing as a secret; everybody likes to tell, and everybody does tell. There is really no such thing as a secret; everybody likes to tell, and everybody does tell.
Robertson Davies quotes: What is meant to be heard is necessarily more direct in expression, and perhaps more boldly coloured, than what is meant for the reader. What is meant to be heard is necessarily more direct in expression, and perhaps more boldly coloured, than what is meant for the reader.
Robertson Davies quotes: Fanaticism is ... compensation for doubt Fanaticism is ... compensation for doubt
Robertson Davies quotes: The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend. The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.
Robertson Davies quotes: The book forces itself into my mind when I am lugging furniture, or pulling weeds. The book forces itself into my mind when I am lugging furniture, or pulling weeds.
Robertson Davies quotes: Pornography is rather like trying to find out about a Beethoven symphony by having somebody tell you about it and perhaps hum a few bars. Pornography is rather like trying to find out about a Beethoven symphony by having somebody tell you about it and perhaps hum a few bars.
Robertson Davies quotes: Many a promising career has been wrecked by marrying the wrong sort of woman. Many a promising career has been wrecked by marrying the wrong sort of woman.
Robertson Davies quotes: We mistrust anything that too strongly challenges our ideal of mediocrity. We mistrust anything that too strongly challenges our ideal of mediocrity.
Robertson Davies quotes: How much more complicated life is than the attainment of a Ph.D. would lead one to believe! How much more complicated life is than the attainment of a Ph.D. would lead one to believe!
Robertson Davies quotes: I seemed to be the only person I knew without a plan that would put the world on its feet and wipe the tear from every eye. I seemed to be the only person I knew without a plan that would put the world on its feet and wipe the tear from every eye.
Robertson Davies quotes: Canada has one of the highest rates of insanity in any civilized country and one reason might be that life in many places is so desperately dull. Canada has one of the highest rates of insanity in any civilized country and one reason might be that life in many places is so desperately dull.
Robertson Davies quotes: Few people can see genius in someone who has offended them. Few people can see genius in someone who has offended them.
Robertson Davies quotes: All real fantasy is serious. Only faked fantasy is not serious. That is why it is so wrong to impose faked fantasy on children ... All real fantasy is serious. Only faked fantasy is not serious. That is why it is so wrong to impose faked fantasy on children ...
Robertson Davies quotes: Every man makes his own summer. The season has no character of its own, unless one is a farmer with a professional concern for the weather. Every man makes his own summer. The season has no character of its own, unless one is a farmer with a professional concern for the weather.
Robertson Davies quotes: A Library goes on as far as thought can reach. A Library goes on as far as thought can reach.
Robertson Davies quotes: The problem for a Paracelsian physician like me is that I see diseases as disguises in which people present me with their wretchedness. The problem for a Paracelsian physician like me is that I see diseases as disguises in which people present me with their wretchedness.
Robertson Davies quotes: A man must be obedient to the promptings of his innermost heart. A man must be obedient to the promptings of his innermost heart.
Robertson Davies quotes: No people in the world can make you feel so small as the English. No people in the world can make you feel so small as the English.
Robertson Davies quotes: The quality of what is said inevitably influences the way in which it is said, however inexperienced the writer. The quality of what is said inevitably influences the way in which it is said, however inexperienced the writer.
Robertson Davies quotes: My position was a common one; I wanted to do the right thing but could not help regretting the damnable expense. My position was a common one; I wanted to do the right thing but could not help regretting the damnable expense.
Robertson Davies quotes: To know all is to despise all. To know all is to despise all.
Robertson Davies quotes: And why should it not be terrifying? A little terror, in my view, is good for the soul, when it is terror in the face of a noble object. And why should it not be terrifying? A little terror, in my view, is good for the soul, when it is terror in the face of a noble object.
Robertson Davies quotes: I think of an author as somebody who goes into the marketplace and puts down his rug and says, "I will tell you a story," and then he passes the I think of an author as somebody who goes into the marketplace and puts down his rug and says, "I will tell you a story," and then he passes the hat.
Robertson Davies quotes: Never harbor grudges; they sour your stomach and do no harm to anyone else. Never harbor grudges; they sour your stomach and do no harm to anyone else.
Robertson Davies quotes: It is a waste of time to dissipate one's moral zeal in disapproving of royal persons who have mistresses. It is a waste of time to dissipate one's moral zeal in disapproving of royal persons who have mistresses.
Robertson Davies quotes: The division between art and deviousness and crime is sometimes as thin as a cigarette paper. The division between art and deviousness and crime is sometimes as thin as a cigarette paper.
Robertson Davies quotes: The only people who make any sense in the world are those who know that whatever happens to them has its roots in what they are. The only people who make any sense in the world are those who know that whatever happens to them has its roots in what they are.
Robertson Davies quotes: But what I knew then was that nobody-not even my mother-was to be trusted in a strange world that showed very little of itself in the surface. But what I knew then was that nobody-not even my mother-was to be trusted in a strange world that showed very little of itself in the surface.
Robertson Davies quotes: Here are some homosexuals whom we would do well to take seriously. Here are some homosexuals whom we would do well to take seriously.
Robertson Davies quotes: The most original thing a writer can do is write like himself. It is also his most difficult task. The most original thing a writer can do is write like himself. It is also his most difficult task.
Robertson Davies quotes: There is no nonsense so gross that society will not, at some time, make a doctrine of it and defend it with every weapon of communal stupidity. There is no nonsense so gross that society will not, at some time, make a doctrine of it and defend it with every weapon of communal stupidity.
Robertson Davies quotes: Conversation in its true meaning isn't all wagging the tongue; sometimes it is a deeply shared silence. Conversation in its true meaning isn't all wagging the tongue; sometimes it is a deeply shared silence.
Robertson Davies quotes: Nobody who looks as though he enjoyed life is ever called distinguished, though he is a man in a million. Nobody who looks as though he enjoyed life is ever called distinguished, though he is a man in a million.
Robertson Davies quotes: When one is traveling, one must expect to spend a certain amount of money foolishly. When one is traveling, one must expect to spend a certain amount of money foolishly.
Robertson Davies quotes: A big man is always accused of gluttony, whereas a wizened or osseous man can eat like a refugee at every meal, and no one ever notices his greed. A big man is always accused of gluttony, whereas a wizened or osseous man can eat like a refugee at every meal, and no one ever notices his greed.
Robertson Davies quotes: The gods destroy the heroes with a sudden blow, but they grind us mediocrities for weary, weary years. The gods destroy the heroes with a sudden blow, but they grind us mediocrities for weary, weary years.
Robertson Davies quotes: Very few [doctors] are men of science in any very serious sense; they're men of technique. Very few [doctors] are men of science in any very serious sense; they're men of technique.
Robertson Davies quotes: The Alexander Technique keeps the body alive, at ages when many people have resigned themselves to irreversible decline. The Alexander Technique keeps the body alive, at ages when many people have resigned themselves to irreversible decline.
Robertson Davies quotes: Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and they become more extraordinary because of it. Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and they become more extraordinary because of it.
Robertson Davies quotes: Any theologian understands martyrdom, but only the martyr experiences the fire. Any theologian understands martyrdom, but only the martyr experiences the fire.
Robertson Davies quotes: The inert mind is a greater danger than the inert body, for it overlays and stifles the desire to live. The inert mind is a greater danger than the inert body, for it overlays and stifles the desire to live.
Robertson Davies quotes: A world without corruption would be a strange world indeed - and a damned bad world for lawyers, let me say. A world without corruption would be a strange world indeed - and a damned bad world for lawyers, let me say.
Robertson Davies quotes: I cannot remember a time when I did not take it as understood that everybody has at least two, if not twenty-two sides to him. I cannot remember a time when I did not take it as understood that everybody has at least two, if not twenty-two sides to him.
Robertson Davies quotes: Love affairs are for emotional sprinters; the pleasures of love are for the emotional marathoners. Love affairs are for emotional sprinters; the pleasures of love are for the emotional marathoners.
Robertson Davies quotes: If you don't hurry up and let life know what you want, life will damned soon show you what you'll get. If you don't hurry up and let life know what you want, life will damned soon show you what you'll get.
Robertson Davies quotes: You are certainly unique. Everyone is unique. Nobody has ever suffered quite like you before because nobody has ever been you before. You are certainly unique. Everyone is unique. Nobody has ever suffered quite like you before because nobody has ever been you before.
Robertson Davies quotes: Inactivity and deprivation of all accustomed stimulus is not rest; it is a preparation for the tomb Inactivity and deprivation of all accustomed stimulus is not rest; it is a preparation for the tomb
Robertson Davies quotes: I was not sure I wanted to issue orders to life; I rather liked the Greek notion of allowing Chance to take a formative hand in my affairs. I was not sure I wanted to issue orders to life; I rather liked the Greek notion of allowing Chance to take a formative hand in my affairs.
Robertson Davies quotes: You'll go far. How do I know? Because life is goosing you so hard you'll never stop climbing. You'll go far. How do I know? Because life is goosing you so hard you'll never stop climbing.
Robertson Davies quotes: The world is full of people whose notion of a satisfactory future is, in fact, a return to the idealised past. The world is full of people whose notion of a satisfactory future is, in fact, a return to the idealised past.
Robertson Davies quotes: Boredom and stupidity and patriotism, especially when combined, are three of the greatest evils of the world we live in. Boredom and stupidity and patriotism, especially when combined, are three of the greatest evils of the world we live in.
Robertson Davies quotes: Which was complimentary but unhelpful, because the librarians were tough. Which was complimentary but unhelpful, because the librarians were tough.
Robertson Davies quotes: "There is no disputing about tastes," says the old saw. In my experience there is little else. "There is no disputing about tastes," says the old saw. In my experience there is little else.
Robertson Davies quotes: I just am a Canadian. It is not a thing which you can escape from. It is like having blue eyes I just am a Canadian. It is not a thing which you can escape from. It is like having blue eyes
Robertson Davies quotes: Myself: But wasn't the decision a right one? Am I not here? What more could Feeling have achieved than was brought about by Reason? Myself: But wasn't the decision a right one? Am I not here? What more could Feeling have achieved than was brought about by Reason?
Robertson Davies quotes: All eras of history are an equal distance from eternity. All eras of history are an equal distance from eternity.
Robertson Davies quotes: No one needs a word processor if he has an efficient secretary. No one needs a word processor if he has an efficient secretary.
Robertson Davies quotes: Some countries you love. Some countries you hate. Canada is a country you worry about. Some countries you love. Some countries you hate. Canada is a country you worry about.
Robertson Davies quotes: I was afraid and did not know what I feared, which is the worst kind of fear. I was afraid and did not know what I feared, which is the worst kind of fear.
Robertson Davies quotes: Imagination is a good horse to carry you over the ground - not a flying carpet to set you free from probability. Imagination is a good horse to carry you over the ground - not a flying carpet to set you free from probability.
Robertson Davies quotes: Subtle wits like to refresh themselves with a whiff of mild indecency. Subtle wits like to refresh themselves with a whiff of mild indecency.
Robertson Davies quotes: If a man wants to be of the greatest possible value to his fellow-creature s let him begin the long, solitary task of perfecting himself. If a man wants to be of the greatest possible value to his fellow-creature s let him begin the long, solitary task of perfecting himself.
Robertson Davies quotes: God, youth is a terrible time! So much feeling and so little notion of how to handle it! God, youth is a terrible time! So much feeling and so little notion of how to handle it!
Robertson Davies quotes: Be not another if thou canst be thyself. Be not another if thou canst be thyself.
Robertson Davies quotes: You can't persuade most of the public that education and making a living aren't the same thing. You can't persuade most of the public that education and making a living aren't the same thing.
Robertson Davies quotes: A happy childhood has spoiled many a promising life. A happy childhood has spoiled many a promising life.
Robertson Davies quotes: Every man is wise when attacked by a mad dog; fewer when pursued by a mad woman; only the wisest survive when attacked by a mad notion. Every man is wise when attacked by a mad dog; fewer when pursued by a mad woman; only the wisest survive when attacked by a mad notion.
Robertson Davies quotes: When a man is down on his luck he seems to consume all he can get of coffee and doughnuts. When a man is down on his luck he seems to consume all he can get of coffee and doughnuts.
Robertson Davies quotes: Sometimes fear could be forgotten, but never for long. Sometimes fear could be forgotten, but never for long.
Robertson Davies quotes: Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors for the same reasons. Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors for the same reasons.
Robertson Davies quotes: Geordie wrote a letter to Mr. Webster in which the shrieking figure of Apology was hounded through a labyrinth of agonized syntax. Geordie wrote a letter to Mr. Webster in which the shrieking figure of Apology was hounded through a labyrinth of agonized syntax.
Robertson Davies quotes: There is absolutely no point in sitting down to write a book unless you feel that you must write that book, or else go mad, or die. There is absolutely no point in sitting down to write a book unless you feel that you must write that book, or else go mad, or die.
Robertson Davies quotes: Wake up! Be yourself, not a bad copy of something else! Wake up! Be yourself, not a bad copy of something else!
Robertson Davies quotes: To be a book-collector is to combine the worst characteristics of a dope fiend with those of a miser. To be a book-collector is to combine the worst characteristics of a dope fiend with those of a miser.
Robertson Davies quotes: Women tell men things that men are not very likely to find out for themselves. Women tell men things that men are not very likely to find out for themselves.
Robertson Davies quotes: Fiction is not photography, it's oil painting. Fiction is not photography, it's oil painting.
Robertson Davies quotes: I don't think Emily was quite up to the demands of being everything to Chips. Love lays heavy burdens on the loved one, sometimes I don't think Emily was quite up to the demands of being everything to Chips. Love lays heavy burdens on the loved one, sometimes
Robertson Davies quotes: Wisdom may be rented ... on the experience of other people, but we buy it at an inordinate price before we make it our own forever. Wisdom may be rented ... on the experience of other people, but we buy it at an inordinate price before we make it our own forever.
Robertson Davies quotes: So Leola thought that a modest romance with a hero in embryo could do no harm - might even be a patriotic duty. So Leola thought that a modest romance with a hero in embryo could do no harm - might even be a patriotic duty.
Robertson Davies quotes: Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don't know what they are conserving. Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don't know what they are conserving.
Robertson Davies quotes: What an amusing drama life is when one is not obliged to be one of the characters! What an amusing drama life is when one is not obliged to be one of the characters!
Robertson Davies quotes: Life itself is too great a miracle for us to make so much fuss about potty little reversals of what we pompously assume to be the natural order. Life itself is too great a miracle for us to make so much fuss about potty little reversals of what we pompously assume to be the natural order.
Robertson Davies quotes: The nature of happiness is such that happiness retreats the more intensely you pursue it. The nature of happiness is such that happiness retreats the more intensely you pursue it.

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