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We will not think noble because we are not noble. We will not live in beautiful harmony because there is no such thing in this world, nor should there be. We promise only to do our best and to live out our lives. Dear God, that's all we can promise in truth.

— Lillian Hellman Candide (1956)

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More quotes by Lillian Hellman

Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth.

The Little Foxes (1939)

Lives were being ruined and few hands were raised in help. Since when do you have to agree with people to defend them from injustice?

Scoundrel Time (1976)

For every man who lives without freedom, the rest of us must face the guilt.

Watch on the Rhine (1941)

Old paint on a canvas, as it ages, sometimes becomes transparent.

Pentimento: A Book of Portraits (1973)

Lonely people, in talking to each other can make each other lonelier.

The Autumn Garden (1951)

All Lillian Hellman quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Lillian Hellman (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.