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David Mitchell Quotes

Novelist

David Mitchell is a British novelist known for his unique narrative techniques and profound humanistic concerns. His works often blend humor, satire, and philosophical thinking, winning him a wide audience.

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Famous David Mitchell Quotes

“Time is the speed at which the past decays.”

Past Speed Decay

Book:Cloud Atlas: A Novel

Source: Cloud Atlas: A Novel

“I believe death is only a door. One closes, and another opens. If I were to imagine heaven, I would imagine a door opening. And he would be waiting for me there.”

Ifs Believe Would Be I Believe Heaven Waiting Imagine Doors Opening

Author:David Mitchell

“The Revelation of Sonmi 451 To be is to be perceived, and so to know thyself is only possible through the eyes of the other. The nature of our immortal lives is in the consequences of our words and deeds, that go on and are pushing themselves throughout all time. - Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”

“But no, we cross, crisscross, and recross our old tracks like figure skaters.”

Figures Crosses Track Skater

Book:Cloud Atlas (Enhanced Movie Tie-in Edition): A Novel

Source: Cloud Atlas (Enhanced Movie Tie-in Edition): A Novel

“You can maintain power over people, as long as you give them something. Rob a man of everything, and that man will no longer be in your power.”

People Men Giving Long

Author:David Mitchell

“Words are very powerful and can lead anyone reading them or hearing them, into contemplation and insight. How the mind follows suit is rarely palpable or expected. This impact is not a matter of metaphysical effects nor of an unexplainable phenomenon. It’s simply part of being human.”

Mind Humans Matter Reading Powerful Effects Impact Insight Hearing Expected Suits Contemplation Phenomenon Being Human Metaphysical Very Powerful Unexplainable

Author:David Mitchell

“Secrets affect you more than you’d think. You lie to keep them hidden. You steer talk away from them. You worry someone’ll discover yours and tell the world. You think you are in charge of the secret, but isn’t it the secret who’s actually using you?”

Thinking World Lying Secret Worry Steers

Author:David Mitchell

“...it’s not just the person who fills a house, it’s their I’ll be back later!s, their toothbrushes and unused hats and coats, their belongingnesses.”

Persons House Missing Hats Coats Missing Someone Toothbrushes

Author:David Mitchell

“Good moods’re as fragile as eggs...Bad moods’re as fragile as bricks.”

Mood Eggs Fragile Bricks Bad Mood Good Mood

Author:David Mitchell

About the Author

Born: January 12, 1969
Known for: Novelist
Quotes: 409

Books & Sources

Cloud AtlasRelated source material

Cloud Atlas (Enhanced Movie Tie-in Edition): A NovelRelated source material

The Bone ClocksRelated source material

Cloud Atlas: A NovelRelated source material

GhostwrittenRelated source material

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de ZoetRelated source material

Utopia AvenueRelated source material

Black Swan GreenRelated source material

Number9Dream: A NovelRelated source material

Slade HouseRelated source material

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