1937 Quotes

“It is not possible even at great length to “pot” The Lord of the Rings in a paragraph or two … It was begun in 1937, and every part has been written many times. Hardly a word in its 600,000 or more has been unconsidered. And the placing, size, style, and contribution to the whole of the features, incidents, and chapters has been laboriously pondered. I do not say this in recommendation. It is, I feel, only too likely that I am deluded, lost in a web of vain imaginings of not much value to others – in spite of the fact that a few readers have found it good, on the whole. What I intend to say is this: I cannot substantially alter the thing. I have finished it, is “off my mind”: the labour has been colossal: and it must stand or fall, practically as it is.
[1951]”
― J.R.R. Tolkien

“All phenomena of which we are aware take place in our own minds, and therefore the only thing we have to look at is the mind; which is a more constant quantity over all the species of humanity than is generally supposed.”
― Aleister Crowley, Eight Lectures on Yoga

“Then there were no more houses, just the burnt foothills and the cement ribbon and a sheer drop on the left into the coolness of a nameless canyon, and on the right heat bouncing off the seared clay bank at whose edge a few unbeatable wild flowers clawed and hung on like naughty children who won’t go to bed.”
― Raymond Chandler, Mandarin's Jade and Other Stories

“... it was once necessary to proclaim the entire doctrine of Yoga in the fewest possible words.... I did so.
“Sit still. Stop thinking. Shut up. Get out!”
The first two of these instructions comprise the whole of the technique of Yoga. The last two are of a sublimity which it would be improper to expound in this present elementary stage.”
― Aleister Crowley, Eight Lectures on Yoga

“There had been a wonderful atmosphere of liberation and camaraderie. The Russians hated it.”
― Ken Follett, Winter of the World

“Why shouldn't two new Justices be appointed each administration? A re-elected President would then have four opportunities to appoint. At the beginning of each administration, the two oldest Justices would automatically hand in their resignations, to take effect at the President's convenience. Thus new blood would be infused into the Court at regular intervals without rancour, and the Court would normally be renewed every 16 years ... Whenever death or retirement occurred, the President would have an extra appointment.”
― Harriet Boyd Hawes, Born to Rebel: The Life of Harriet Boyd Hawes

“Чуть только увидишь в газете или услышишь по радио прочно сросшиеся, постоянно повторяющиеся, одинаковые словосочетания — бойся! это удавка, которой будут вешать невинных, или аркан, которым ухватят их и поведут на казнь.”
― Лидия Чуковская, Прочерк

“Но и личный опыт не спасает от заблуждений, если ты соглашаешься считать его исключительно личным.”
― Лидия Чуковская, Прочерк