Home / Books / Twelve Against the Gods

Twelve Against the Gods

Book by William Bolitho · 6 quotes · Casanova, Adventure, Life

Browse quotes from Twelve Against the Gods.

Book detail: Twelve Against the Gods is presented as a focused source page for quotations connected with this book, collection, transcript, or source record.

Browse quotes from Twelve Against the Gods.

The quotes below use the same card format as the rest of the site, including topics, source notes, copy actions, image creation, and sharing controls.

Filter quotes by topic

All Casanova Adventure Life Seraphina Cagliostro Exclusive Fate Joy Morals Oppression Ordinary Perseverance Risk Satiety Self Shame Way

Twelve Against the Gods Quotes

“Casanova had no ordinary shame”

Ordinary Shame Casanova

Book:Twelve Against the Gods

Source: Twelve Against the Gods

“In his stay with the cultured old epicure, Casanova had learnt two Latin saws, which were to be for the rest of his life his gospel and his policy: Fata viam inveniunt. Volentem ducit, nolentem trahit. As we may say : Fate finds the way, and Life leads its lover, betrays its rebel.”

Way Life Fate Casanova

Book:Twelve Against the Gods

Source: Twelve Against the Gods

“To every sweetheart he (Casanova) gave himself exclusively; he had so many selves.”

Self Exclusive Casanova

Book:Twelve Against the Gods

Source: Twelve Against the Gods

“The truth is that he (Casanova) had ceased subtly to be an adventurer to become a noisy scoundrel, or if that is too harsh, that he had no longer the irresistible charm of being the world’s best loser. He was always greedy. Now he was grasping. He was always noticeable. Now he was loud. He had become without knowing it a social man, desperately interested in the stability of his own position which he tried, without knowing how to do it, to link up with the stability of society. He had become a fortune hunter, and shrank from the quest of chance; the supernatural shine had left his eyes. Men saw in him no longer Puck, but a rival.”

Adventure Casanova

Book:Twelve Against the Gods

Source: Twelve Against the Gods

“Yet, feeling his way, starting by the passive opposition of small thefts, stealing sausage ends and crusts of bread when Signora Squeers was asleep, he (Casanova) progressed until he arrived at the thought “ that it was ridiculous to be oppressed”

Oppression Casanova

Book:Twelve Against the Gods

Source: Twelve Against the Gods

“Nevertheless this was the problem Casanova solved. His prime secret is in his own words. “ I have always believed that when a man gets it into his head to do something, and when he exclusively occupies himself in that design, he must succeed whatever the difficulties. That man will become Grand Vizier or Pope. He will upset a dynasty, provided he starts young and has the brain and perseverance necessary. For when a man has arrived at the age that Chance despises he can no longer do anything ; for without her aid there is no hope.”

Perseverance Casanova

Book:Twelve Against the Gods

Source: Twelve Against the Gods