“There is a brotherliness about a drinking person, which is coldly lacking in the straight and narrow enemies of drink; the difference between the two is more marked than nationality or belief: it is an opposite species altogether. It is against the unwritten laws of congeniality for them to mix. For me, a man who does not drink is distinctly indecent.” MenPersonsDoeTwoLawBeliefDifferencesEnemyDrinkOppositesDrinkingSpeciesLackingNationalityUnwrittenCongeniality Author:Caitlin Thomas
“England, where nobody ever says what they mean: and by denying feeling, kill it off stone-cold at the roots.” MeanFeelingsColdStonesRootsEnglandStone Cold Author:Caitlin Thomas
“If happiness comes at all: which is by no means prearranged; it comes by the way, while you are seeking for something else. Something outside yourself, beyond yourself: in a brief absorption of self-forgetfulness.” IfsWayMeanSelfHappinessSeekingForgetfulnessAbsorptionSelf Forgetfulness Author:Caitlin Thomas
“[On journalists:] They are the scavengers of society who, possessing no guts of their own, tear out the guts of celebrities. They have the sycophantic, false enthusing gush of maiden aunts: who are accustomed to being trampled on doormats.” TearsJournalismJournalistGutsAccustomedAuntPossessingMaidensDoormat Author:Caitlin Thomas
“[On journalists:] They are as disruptive a menace to the public body: as grating turds in the intestines are to the private body.” BodyJournalismJournalistMenaceDisruptiveIntestinesTurds Author:Caitlin Thomas
“Between threading a needle and raving insanity is the smallest eye in creation.” EyeCreationInsanitySmallestNeedles Author:Caitlin Thomas
“Jealousy is the lifelong noose hanging about the neck of love.” JealousyNecksLifelongNooses Author:Caitlin Thomas
“[On journalists:] ... however lyingly libellous they may be: nobody can seriously hurt the reputation of a Great person. If he is hurt: he is not Great. They can but scratch at his skin with their mice nails.” IfsMayPersonsHurtSkinsReputationJournalismJournalistNailsMiceScratchesGreat Person Author:Caitlin Thomas
“none of what I know is out of books. ... I prefer tactual learning. Touching, on the quick of the sore nail, of present, mobile life. To toy, to gnaw, to tear: at the living element of pain. Like at a living drumstick.” KnowsBookPainLearningTearsElementsTouchingToysNailsMobileDrumsticks Author:Caitlin Thomas