"Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it."
About Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Alexander — Life and Legacy
Lloyd Alexander was a prominent American author celebrated for his contributions to children's and young adult literature, particularly through his acclaimed series 'The Chronicles of Prydain.' This series, inspired by Welsh mythology, intricately weaves themes of adventure, courage, and the complexities of growing up. Alexander's storytelling is characterized by rich character development and moral dilemmas, inviting readers to explore their own identities alongside his protagonists. His quote, 'We must be our own before we can be another's,' encapsulates his belief in the necessity of self-discovery as a precursor to meaningful connections. This idea resonates throughout his works, where characters embark on journeys not only to save their worlds but also to understand themselves. Alexander's narratives often challenge the notion of heroism, suggesting that true bravery lies in facing one's inner fears, as demonstrated by Taran, the protagonist of Prydain, who evolves from a restless youth into a self-aware leader. The impact of Alexander's work remains significant today, as his stories continue to inspire new generations to embrace adventure and the power of imagination. His exploration of friendship and loyalty serves as a reminder of the importance of community in overcoming life's challenges, making his quotes and ideas timeless in their relevance.
Quote collection
Lloyd Alexander quotes (page 1 of 7)
131 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself."
"Using the device of an imaginary world allows me in some strange way to go to the central issues - it's one of many ways to express feelings about real people, about real human relationships."
"Craftsmanship isn't like water in an earthen pot, to be taken out by the dipperful until it's empty. No, the more drawn out the more remains."
"Keep reading. It's one of the most marvelous adventures that anyone can have."
"He [the cat] liked to peep into the refrigerator and risk having his head shut in by the closing door. He also climbed to the top of the stove, discontinuing the practice after he singed his tail."
"...Writings can be stolen, or changed, or used for evil purposes. But isn't the risk worth taking? The more people who share knowledge, the greater safeguard for it. Isn't there more danger in ignorance than knowledge?"
"The only thing a cat worries about is what's happening right now. As we tell the kittens, you can only wash one paw at a time."
"Is there worse evil than that which goes in the mask of good?"
"Seize the day, whatever's in it to seize, before something comes along and seizes you."
"If the pull of the outside world is strong, there is also a pull towards the human. The cat may disappear on its own errands, but sooner or later, it returns once again for a little while, to greet us with its own type of love."
"Long ago I yearned to be a hero without knowing, in truth, what a hero was. Now, perhaps, I understand it a little better. A grower of turnips or a shaper of clay, a Commot farmer or a king--every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone. Once you told me that the seeking counts more than the finding. So, too, must the striving count more than the gain."
"I think imagination is at the heart of everything we do. Scientific discoveries couldn't have happened without imagination. Art, music, and literature couldn't exist without imagination. And so anything that strengthens imagination, and reading certainly does that, can help us for the rest of our lives."
"I only suggest to you: Will you dwell on killing this man? You wish for revenge? If you do, he has already killed you by slow poison. So, let it go. Why waste your time? His life will see to his death."
"Thinking is a bit uncomfortable, but you'll get used to it. A matter of time and practice."
"She had no particular breed in mind, no unusual requirements. Except the special sense of mutual recognition that tells dog and human they have both come to the right place."
"Hope is an essential thread in the fabric of all fantasies, an Ariadne's thread to guide us out of the labyrinth ... Human beings have always needed hope, and surely now more than ever."
"I decided that adventure was the best way to learn about writing."
"Every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone."
"All that writers can do is keep trying to say what is deepest in their hearts."