"To every separate person a thing is what he thinks it is – in other words, not a thing, but a think."
About Penelope Fitzgerald
Penelope Fitzgerald — Life and Legacy
Penelope Fitzgerald was a notable British novelist whose works often delve into the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of truth. Her keen observations are vividly illustrated in her acclaimed novel 'Offshore', where she captures the lives of a group of misfits living on houseboats in London. Fitzgerald's writing reflects a deep understanding of the human experience, often highlighting the contradictions and struggles inherent in everyday life. Her quote, 'the past is a foreign country', encapsulates her exploration of memory and its impact on identity, suggesting that our recollections can feel distant and altered over time. This perspective reveals her belief that understanding oneself and others requires navigating the intricate layers of truth and perception. Fitzgerald's insights often challenge conventional views, urging readers to recognize the complexity of their own lives and relationships. Today, her quotes resonate with those grappling with the nuances of existence, reminding us that life is not merely a series of events but a rich tapestry woven from shared experiences and emotions. Fitzgerald's ability to articulate the subtleties of human nature ensures her relevance in contemporary discussions about identity and authenticity.
Quote collection
Penelope Fitzgerald quotes
18 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Helping other people is a drug so dangerous that there is no cure short of total abstention."
"I have remained true to my deepest convictions. I mean the courage of those who are born to be defeated, the weaknesses of the strong, and the tragedy of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, which I have done my best to treat as comedy—for otherwise how can we manage to bear it?"
"It is interesting to note that everyone has a different take on the world, a different opinion, and given the same inputs have completely different outputs."
"If they don't depend on true evidence, scientists are no better than gossips."
"I believe that people should write biographies only about people they love, or understand, or both. Novels, on the other hand, are often better if they're about people the writer doesn't like very much."
"The body, then, has a mind of its own. It must follow, then, that the Mind has a body of its own, even if it’s like nothing that we can see around us, or have ever seen."
"A word of advice. If, as a young man, student, you are tormented by a desire for women, it is best to get out into the fresh air as much as possible."
"An unjust punishment is never forgotten."
"On the whole, I think you should write biographies of those you admire and respect, and novels about human beings who you think are sadly mistaken."
"Morality is seldom a safe guide for human conduct."
"It's very good for an idea to be commonplace. The important thing is that a new idea should develop out of what is already there so that it soon becomes an old acquaintance. Old acquaintances aren't by any means always welcome, but at least one can't be mistaken as to who or what they are."
"Behind their dark glass, the mad own nothing."
"More than that, I believe that the grass is green because green is restful to the human eye, that the sky is blue to give us an idea of the infinite. And that blood is red so that murder will be more easily detected and criminals will be brought to justice. Yes, and I believe that I shall live forever, but I shall live without reason."
"Duty is what no-one else will do at the moment."
"A good book is the precious life-blood of a master-spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life, and as such it must surely be a necessary commodity."
"Experiences aren't given to us to be 'got over,' otherwise they would hardly be experiences."
"Surely you have to succeed, if you give everything you have.' 'I don't see why. Everyone has to give everything they have eventually. They have to die. Dying can't be called a success."