John Ironmonger > Quotes

“No one can tell you for certain if we have free will or we don't. [...] Whatever you choose to believe, you will probably want to agree with the philosopher John Locke, who argued that the whole debate is largely irrelevant. If it feels to us like free will, then let's treat it as free will and get on with our lives.”
― J.W. Ironmonger, The Coincidence Authority

“If this was death, then death was like switching off the lights in a big house; first the farthest rooms, then the dining room and the kitchen and the landing, and then the living room, and then, with the house almost in darkness, there’s time for a last look around, a farewell moment, perhaps, to see if everything is in order; and then the final switch in the hallway. Death,”
― John Ironmonger, Not Forgetting The Whale

“Not really suicide to jump off a cliff if you’re already falling. Bit of a rubbish metaphor, but you know what I mean.”
― J.W. Ironmonger (John Ironmonger), The Notable Brain of Maximilian Ponder

“No two people can ever step into the same stream”
― J.W. Ironmonger

“The books became more than just something to read; they became esoteric possessions, present on the wall because I liked the look and the feel and the smell of them. Never mind that many were too childish or too trite. I saw a value in books and hoarded them like a jealous monarch.”
― J.W. Ironmonger, The Notable Brain of Maximilian Ponder

“If everything happens for a reason, then there must be a planner.”
― J.W. Ironmonger, Coincidence

“This, I think, is how the great decisions in our lives are made; not through perspiration and balanced reflection, but through sudden moments of insight.”
― John Ironmonger (J.W. Ironmonger), The Notable Brain of Maximilian Ponder

“The best recipe for true love is plenty of time spent in close proximity; plus a little jeopardy to face together.’

‘Proximity and Jeopardy.’ Joe laughed. ‘That’s the Trevarrick secret, is it?’

‘And a generous helping of time. The jeopardy is optional, but it makes for a better story. It’s like the grain of sand in the oyster that creates the pearl.”
― John Ironmonger, Not Forgetting the Whale

“Wenn man sie nicht identifizieren kann, bemerkt man auch nicht wenn eine Art nicht mehr da ist. Oder eine Zweite. Oder eine Dritte.”
― John Ironmonger, Das Jahr des Dugong

“Depression is the enemy of action.”
― J.W. Ironmonger, Coincidence