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Quote by Robertson Davies

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Robertson Davies
Robertson Davies

Robertson Davies was a Canadian novelist known for his wit and humor. His works often set in the Canadian society, exploring the relationship between individuals and society. Davies' works include the 'Amos Fortune' series and the 'Crown of the North' series, which are highly appreciated by readers. more

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“Only in the theatre was it possible to see the performers and to be warmed by their personal charm, to respond to their efforts and to feel their response to the applause and appreciative laughter of the audience. It had an intimate quality; audience and actors conspired to make a little oasis of happiness and mirth within the walls of the theatre. Try as we will, we cannot be intimate with a shadow on a screen, nor a voice from a box.”

FeelsTryingLittlesActorsVoiceEffortQualityAudienceWallLaughterShadowResponseBoxesTheatreScreensIntimateCharmPerformersApplauseMirthAppreciativeOasis
Author:Robertson Davies
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“It is in this matter that I fall foul of so many American writers on writing; they seem to think that writing is a confidence game by means of which the author cajoles a restless, dull-witted, shallow audience into hearing his point of view. Such an attitude is base, and can only beget base prose.”

ThinkingWritingMeanMatterSeemsFallGamesViewsAttitudeAudienceHearingPoint Of ViewDullProseShallowRestlessFoulBegetsWriting By WritersAmerican Writer
Author:Robertson Davies
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“If I had to describe my remarks this evening frankly as if I were in police court and on oath, so to speak I should have to call it a ramble over several subjects, portions of which may seem to you to be impudent, and portions of which will be ignorant, and portions of which may contrive to be both at once.”

IfsShouldMaySeemsSpeakSubjectsShould HavePoliceCourtIgnorantEveningPortionsRemarksOath
Book:Selected Works on the Pleasures of Reading
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“Our forebears are deserving of tribute for one indisputable reason, if for no other: without them we should not be here. Let us recognize that we are not the ultimate triumph but rather we are beads on a string. Let us behave with decency to the beads that were strung before us and hope modestly that the beads that come after us will not hold us of no account simply because we are dead.”

IfsShouldReasonUltimateAccountsTriumphBehaveStringsDecencyTributeDeservingBeads
Author:Robertson Davies
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“Of course, fairies are all imported in North America. We have no native fairies. The Little People do not long survive importation unless they go to California and grow large and beautiful, but haven't much flavour, like the fruit and the film stars.”

PeopleLittlesLongAmericaBeautifulFilmCoursesStarsGrowsHavensFruitCaliforniaFairyNativeNorth AmericaFlavourFilm StarsImportation
Book:Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre
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“That's the nub of the thing, you see seriousness of spirit. It doesn't mean heaviness of heart, or a lack of fantasy, but it does mean an awareness of influences that touch our lives, sometimes in ways that seem cruel and unfeeling, and sometimes in ways that open up a glory which can never be forgotten.”

WayHeartMeanDoeSometimesSeemsSpiritFantasyOur LivesInfluenceAwarenessGloryForgottenSeriousnessHeavinessUnfeeling
Book:Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre
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