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Paul Scott

Paul Scott Quotes

Novelist

Paul Scott (March 25, 1920 – March 1, 1978) was a British novelist best known for The Raj Quartet, a series of novels set in British India during the 1940s. His works explore the complexities of colonial rule and human relationships. Scott served in the British Army in India during WWII, which inspired his writing. He won the Booker Prize in 1977 for Staying On. His novels are praised for their historical depth and psychological insight, making him a significant figure in colonial literature.

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All Gossip Lying One Thing People Rumours Ambience Consequence Devious Different Different Things

Famous Paul Scott Quotes

“Ah, well, the truth is always one thing, but in a way it's the other thing, the gossip, that counts. It shows where people's hearts lie.”

People Way Wells Heart Shows Lying One Thing Truth Is Gossip Rumours

Book:The Raj Quartet, Volume 2: The Day of the Scorpion

Source: The Raj Quartet, Volume 2: The Day of the Scorpion

“Rumours began with the whispered gossip of native servants and spread quickly to the rest of the population.”

Population Spread Servant Native Gossip Rumours

Book:The Raj Quartet, Volume 1: The Jewel in the Crown

Source: The Raj Quartet, Volume 1: The Jewel in the Crown

“English is the language of a people ho have probably earned their reputation for perfidy and hypocrisy because their language itself is so flexible, so often light-headed with with statements which appear to mean one thing one year and quite a different thing the next.”

People Years Mean Different Light Next Language One Thing Statements Reputation Hypocrisy Different Things Flexible Perfidy

Book:The Raj Quartet, Volume 1: The Jewel in the Crown

Source: The Raj Quartet, Volume 1: The Jewel in the Crown

“In India nearly everybody spoke metaphorically except the English who spoke bluntly and could make their most transparent lies look honest as a consequence; whereas any truth contained in these metaphorical rigmaroles was so deviously presented that it looked devious itself.”

Looks Lying Honest Consequence India Spokes Transparent Metaphorical Devious

Book:The Raj Quartet, Volume 2: The Day of the Scorpion

Source: The Raj Quartet, Volume 2: The Day of the Scorpion

“The past becomes a texture, an ambience to our present.”

Past Texture Ambience

Author:Paul Scott

“Imagination is not enough. Knowledge is necessary.”

Enough Imagination

Book:My appointment with the muse: essays, 1961-75

Source: My appointment with the muse: essays, 1961-75

About the Author

Born: March 25, 1920
Died: March 1, 1978
Known for: Novelist
Quotes: 6

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Gossip Lying One Thing People Rumours Ambience Consequence Devious Different Different Things

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Books & Sources

The Raj Quartet, Volume 1: The Jewel in the CrownRelated source material

The Raj Quartet, Volume 2: The Day of the ScorpionRelated source material

My appointment with the muse: essays, 1961-75Related source material

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