Ryan > Ryan's Quotes

“Fearlessness in those without power is maddening to those who have it.”
― Tobias Wolff, This Boy's Life

“There are lots of people who rewrite their past and, what’s more, believe it themselves. Now that is odd.”
― Jennifer Johnston, Two Moons: A poignant, witty Irish novel of mothers, daughters - and betrayal

“Later I would understand that modern industrial communities are obsessed with the importance of ‘going somewhere’ and ‘doing something with your life’. The implication is an idea I have come to hate, that staying local and doing physical work doesn’t count for much.”
― James Rebanks, The Shepherd's Life: Modern Dispatches from an Ancient Landscape

“Should not the Society of Indexers be know as Indexers, Society of, The?”
― Keith Waterhouse

“Melancholy: an appetite no misery satisfies.”
― Emil Cioran, All Gall is Divided: Aphorisms

“The die was cast. It was a proud day for the Milligan family as I was taken from the house. “I’m too young to go,” I screamed as Military Policemen dragged me from my pram, clutching a dummy. At Victoria Station the R.T.O. gave me a travel warrant, a white feather and a picture of Hitler marked “This is your enemy.” I searched every compartment, but he wasn’t on the train.”
― Spike Milligan, Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall

“Book-burners try to destroy ideas that differ from their own. Reading does the opposite. It encourages doubt... reading releases you from the limits of yourself.”
― John Carey

“The greatest hindrance to growth in faith is comfortable living.”
― John Carey

“I'm not saying all publishers have to be literary, but some interest in books would help.”
― A.N. Wilson