14 quotes
We should never be at the mercy of Providence if only we understood that we ourselves are Providence.
Testament of Youth (1933)
Politics are usually the executive expression of human immaturity.
The Rebel Passion (1964)
It is probably true to say that the largest scope for change still lies in men’s attitude to women, and in women’s attitude to themselves.
Lady into Woman (1953)
It is still difficult to realise that the moment has actually come at last when 1 shall have no peace of mind any more until the War is over.
Testament of Youth (1933)
Meek wifehood is no part of my profession;
I am your friend, but never your possession.
All that a pacifist can undertake — but it is a very great deal — is to refuse to kill, injure or otherwise cause suffering to another human creature, and untiringly to order his life by the rule of love though others may be captured by hate.
When I think how suddenly, instantly, a chance bullet may put an end to that brilliant life, may cut it off in its youth and mighty promise, faith in the ‘increasing purpose’ of the ages grows dim.
Testament of Youth (1933)
To rescue mankind from that domination by the irrational which leads to war could surely be a more exultant fight than war itself, a fight capable of enlarging the souls of men and women...niting them in one dedicated community whose common purpose transcends the individual.
Testament of Youth (1933)
The fact that his highly respected old friend regarded the presence of women at Oxford as in no way remarkable undoubtedly caused him to revise his opinion on the whole subject of the higher education of daughters.
Testament of Youth (1933)
I have tried to write the exact truth as I saw and see it about both myself and other people, since a book of this kind has no value unless it is honest... It is not by accident that what I have written constitutes, in effect, the indictment of a civilisation.
Testament of Youth (1933)
It is harder now the spring days are beginning to come... to keep the thought of war before one’s mind - especially here, where there is always a kind of dreamy spell which makes one feel that nothing poignant and terrible can ever come near. Winter departs so early here... ”
Testament of Youth (1933)
If modern youth has realized, as I believe it has, that to live for one's country is a finer type of patriotism than to die for it, then the youth of my generation will not, after all, have laid down the best of its life in vain.
I know one husband and wife who, whatever the official reasons given to the court for the break up of their marriage, were really divorced because the husband believed that nobody ought to read while he was talking and the wife that nobody ought to talk while she was reading.
When the Great War broke out, it came to me not as a superlative tragedy, but as an interruption of the most exasperating kind to my personal plans. To explain the reason for this egotistical view of history’s greatest disaster, it is necessary to go back a little... p. 17
Testament of Youth (1933)