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E. M. Forster Quotes - Page 15

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Ulysses ... is a dogged attempt to cover the universe with mud, an inverted Victorianism, an attempt to make crossness and dirt succeed where sweetness and light failed, a simplification of the human character in the

Ulysses ... is a dogged attempt to cover the universe with mud, an inverted Victorianism, an attempt to make crossness and dirt succeed where sweetness and light failed, a simplification of the human character in the interests of Hell.

Dog, Character, Light

'Aspects of the Novel' (1927) ch. 6 (on James Joyce's 'Ulysses')

How do I know what I have to say wntil I see what I have said?

Said, Knows

Belfastas uncivilised as ever--savage black mothers in houses of dark red brick, friendly manufacturers too drunk to entertain you when you arrive. It amuses me till I get tired.

Mother, Tired, Dark

The so called white races are really pinko-grey.

White, Race, Grey

A Passage to India ch. 7 (1924)

Italy is such a delightful place to live in if you happen to be a man. There one may enjoy that exquisite luxury of Socialism--that true Socialism which is based not on equality of income or character, but on the equality of manners. In the democracy of the caffè or the street the great question of our life has been solved, and the brotherhood of man is a reality. But it is accomplished at the expense of the sisterhood of women.

Character, Reality, Sisterhood

E. M. Forster (2016). “Where Angels Fear to Tread: England Literature”, p.31, 谷月社

Do you suppose there's any difference between spring in nature and spring in man? But there we go, praising the one and condemning the other as improper, ashamed that the same laws work eternally through both.

Spring, Men, Law

E. M. Forster (2016). “A Room With A View: England Literature”, p.56, 谷月社

She only felt that the candle would burn better, the packing go easier, the world be happier, if she could give and receive some human love.

Giving, World, Easier

E.M. Forster (2012). “A Room with a View”, p.62, Courier Corporation

Lucy was suffering from the most grievous wrong which this world has yet discovered: diplomatic advantage had been taken of her sincerity, of her craving for sympathy and love. Such a wrong is not easily forgotten. Never again did she expose herself without due consideration and precaution against rebuff. And such a wrong may react disastrously upon the soul.

Love, Taken, Soul

E.M. Forster (2012). “A Room with a View”, p.63, Courier Corporation

Passion should believe itself irresistible. It should forget civility and consideration and all the other curses of a refined nature. Above all, it should never ask for leave where there is a right of way.

Believe, Passion, Way

E. M. Forster (2013). “Delphi Collected Works of E. M. Forster (Illustrated)”, p.435, Delphi Classics

As for 'story' I never yet did enjoy a novel or play in which someone didn't tell me afterward that there was something wrong with the story, so that's going to be no drawback as far as I'm concerned. "Good Lord, why am I so bored" "I know; it must be the plot developing harmoniously." So I often reply to myself, and there rises before me my special nightmare that of the writer as craftsman, natty and deft.

Play, Bored, Special

Selected Letters (1983-1985): Letter 104, to Forrest Reid, June 19, 1912.

Before the civil war, Pottibakia was a normal member of the Comity of Nations. She erected tariff walls, broke treaties, persecuted minorities, obstructed at conferences unless she was convinced there was no danger of a satisfactory solution; then she strained every nerve in the cause of peace.

Wall, War, Nerves

"The Life to Come (and Other Stories)". Book by E. M. Forster, 1972.

A mirror does not develop because an historical pageant passes in front of it. It only develops when it gets a fresh coat of quicksilver in other words, when it acquires new sensitiveness; and the novel's success lies in its own sensitiveness, not in the success of its subject matter.

Lying, Mirrors, Historical

E. M. Forster (2010). “Aspects of the Novel”, p.38, RosettaBooks

As long as learning is connected with earning, as long as certain jobs can only be reached through exams, so long must we take the examination system seriously. If another ladder to employment was contrived, much so-called education would disappear, and no one be a penny the stupider.

Jobs, Long, Would Be

"Aspects of the Novel". Book by E. M. Forster, 1927.

I love love I love being in love I don't care what it does to me The Format, in "Inches and Failing". Masood, a young lady has fallen in love with me-at least so I judge from her letters. Awkward is it not-awkward and surprising. You would be flattered and twirl your moustache, but I am merely uncomfortable. I wish she would stop, as she is very nice, and I enjoyed being friends. What an ill constructed world this is! Love is always being given where it is not required.

Life, Nice, Being In Love

He had shown her all the workings of his soul, mistaking this for love.

Inspirational, Inspiring, Soul

E. M. Forster (2015). “The Longest Journey”, p.246, Booklassic

Self-pity? I see no moral objections to it, the smell drives people away, but that's a practical objection, and occasionally an advantage.

Self, Smell, People

"Commonplace Book". Book by E. M. Forster, 1985.

You talk as if a god had made the Machine," cried the other. "I believe that you pray to it when you are unhappy. Men made it, do not forget that. Great men, but men. The Machine is much, but not everything.

Believe, Men, Unhappy

E. M. Forster (2015). “The Machine Stops”, p.5, Simon and Schuster

Love felt and returned, love which our bodies exact and our hearts have transfigured, love which is the most real thing that we shall ever meet, reappeared now as the world's enemy, and she must stifle it.

Real, Heart, Enemy

E. M. Forster (2016). “A Room With A View: England Literature”, p.144, 谷月社

Railway termini are our gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine, to them, alas! we return.

Travel, Adventure, Sunshine

Howards End ch. 2 (1910)

It is obvious enough for the reader to conclude, "She loves young Emerson." A reader in Lucy's place would not find it obvious. Life is easy to chronicle, but bewildering to practice, and we welcome "nerves" or any other shibboleth that will cloak our personal desire. She loved Cecil; George made her nervous; will the reader explain to her that the phrases should have been reversed?

Should Have, Practice, Desire

E. M. Forster (2013). “Delphi Collected Works of E. M. Forster (Illustrated)”, p.463, Delphi Classics

A critic has no right to the narrowness which is the frequent prerogative of the creative artist.

Artist, Creative, Criticism

E. M. Forster (2010). “Aspects of the Novel”, p.19, RosettaBooks

He had known so much about her once -what she thought, how she felt, the reasons for her actions. And now he only knew that he loved her, and all the other knowledge seemed passing from him just as he needed it most.

Action, Reason, Passing

Be soft, even if you stand to get squashed.

Squash, Literature, Ifs

Do you remember Italy?

Remember

E.M. Forster (2012). “A Room with a View”, p.162, Courier Corporation

The story of the Fall always fascinates me as a play ground, but I cannot find any profound meaning in it, because of my 'liberal' view of human nature: I cannot believe in a state of original innocence, still less in a profound meaning in it, and I am always minimising the conception and the extent of Sin and the sinfulness of sex.

Sex, Believe, Fall

Selected Letters (1983-1985): Letter 396, to Eric Fletcher, July 9, 1951.

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