E. M. Forster Quotes - Page 11

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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.

E. M. Forster

Wall, War, Nerves

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

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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.

E. M. Forster

Lying, Mirrors, Historical

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

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Neanderthal man listened to stories, if one may judge by the shape of his skull.

E. M. Forster

Men, Skulls, Judging

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Tolerance is just a makeshift, suitable for an overcrowded and overheated planet. It carries on when love gives out, and love generally gives out as soon as we move away from our home and our friends.

E. M. Forster

Moving, Home, Giving

E.M. Forster (1951). “Two Cheers for Democracy”

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In the novel we can know people perfectly, and, apart from the general pleasure of reading, we can find here a compensation for their dimness in life.

E. M. Forster

Reading, People, Understanding

E. M. Forster (2010). “Aspects of the Novel”, p.98, RosettaBooks

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Paganism is infectious, more infectious than diphtheria or piety.

E. M. Forster

Literature, Paganism, Piety

E. M. Forster (2016). “A Room With A View: England Literature”, p.133, 谷月社

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It is the starved imagination, not the well nourished, that is afraid.

E. M. Forster

Imagination, Wells

E. M. Forster (2012). “Howards End”, p.144, Courier Corporation

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What the world most needs today are negative virtues - not minding people, not being huffy, touchy, irritable or revengeful.

E. M. Forster

People, Huffy, Negative

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

E. M. Forster

Said, Knows

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I don't think literature will be purged until its philosophic pretentiousness is extruded, and I shant live to see that purge, nor perhaps when it has happened will anything survive.

E. M. Forster

Thinking, Literature, Philosophic

E. M. Forster (1987). “Commonplace Book”, p.46, Stanford University Press

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Democracy is not a Beloved Republic really, and never will be. But it is less hateful than other contemporary forms of government, and to that extent deserves our support.

E. M. Forster

Government, Support, Democracy

E.M. Forster (1951). “Two Cheers for Democracy”

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There's nothing like a debate to teach one quickness. I often wish I had gone in for them when I was a youngster. It would have helped me no end.

E. M. Forster

Wish, Gone, Debate

E.M. Forster (2015). “Howard's End”, p.119, Xist Publishing

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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.

E. M. Forster

Mother, Tired, Dark

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Pathos, piety, courage, they exist, but are identical, and so is filth. Everything exists, nothing has value.

E. M. Forster

Filth, Pathos, Piety

'A Passage to India' (1924) ch. 14

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

E. M. Forster

Self, Smell, People

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

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The book [ A Passage to India ] shows signs of fatigue and disillusionment; but it has chapters of clear and triumphant beauty, and above all it makes us wonder, what will he write next?

E. M. Forster

Book, Writing, India

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The novelist, unlike many of his colleagues, makes up a number of word-masses roughly describing himself (roughly: niceties shallcome later), gives them names and sex, assigns them plausible gestures, and causes them to speak by the use of inverted commas, and perhaps to behave consistently.

E. M. Forster

Sex, Character, Names

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To trust people is a luxury in which only the wealthy can indulge; the poor cannot afford it.

E. M. Forster

Luxury, People, Poor

'Howards End' (1910) ch. 5

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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.

E. M. Forster

Life, Nice, Being In Love

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Our final experience, like our first, is conjectural. We move between two darkness's.

E. M. Forster

Moving, Two, Darkness

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Beauty ought to look a little surprised: it is the emotion that best suits her face. The beauty who does not look surprised, who accepts her position as her due - she reminds us too much of a prima donna.

E. M. Forster

Funny, Beauty, Humor

E. M. Forster (2010). “Aspects of the Novel”, p.134, RosettaBooks

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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.

E. M. Forster

Giving, World, Easier

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

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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.

E. M. Forster

Love, Taken, Soul

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

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It is not that the Englishman can't feel-it is that he is afraid to feel. He has been taught at his public school that feeling is bad form. He must not express great joy or sorrow, or even open his mouth too wide when he talks-his pipe might fall out if he did.

E. M. Forster

Fall, School, Justice

Abinger Harvest "Notes on English Character" (1936)

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

E. M. Forster

Inspirational, Inspiring, Soul

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

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E. M. Forster

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Born: January 1, 1879
Died: June 7, 1970
Occupation: Novelist
Cite this Page: Citation

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