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Quote by A.L. Kennedy

“He found it remarkable that humans could persuade themselves to keep going under almost any circumstances and that they were very willing to be joyful and courageous. It was a shame so many of them were so stupid.”

Quote by A.L. Kennedy

Work

The Little Snake

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Author

A.L. Kennedy
A.L. Kennedy

A.L. Kennedy, born on October 22, 1965, is a renowned writer whose works span a variety of literary forms including novels, short stories, and essays. Known for her profound emotions and unique narrative style, her writing delves into the complexities of human nature and societal injustices. more

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“Shrewd Shakespeare understood that the paradox of drama also ticks at the heart of life itself: we can't truly bear, understand or transcend tragedy without humour and we definitely appreciate levity more when unburdened from pitch darkness. Deepest drama often demands a sudden crash of laughter's lightning bolt. Surgically-wielded comic relief, used with acute awareness of audience and moment, doesn't merely lighten a heavy scene; it provides the critical human counterpoint, a vital exhale allowing the audience to bear the weight, and feel it all the more intensely when tension returns, effectively disproving the literally-minded misconception that to laugh at something is to disrespect it or not take it seriously. This profound effect isn't just theatrical technique; it taps into a timeless human impulse—gallows humour, whistling past the graveyard—a deep-seated capacity to find release and digest life's bitterest truths, even in the face of overwhelming gravity.”

“I know human beings very well. They possess enormous desires and, to fulfill these desires, they are capable of displaying incredible strength. Some say that the greatest characteristic of human beings is their intellect, but they are clearly mistaken. Intelligence does indeed give rise to technology and invention. However, a truly intelligent person, despite being able to construct a gun, would never pull the trigger against a fellow human being. The act of not pulling the trigger - that is what should be termed 'intelligent.' And it's clear that humans lack that. Humans are relentless in kicking others to the ground, killing their own kind, and continuing to expand their desires. You could say that this tremendous desire is humankind's greatest weapon.”

“Here is the transcription of the highlighted Arabic text: إن ما ندعوه بـ"البورجوازي"، بوصفه عنصراً موجوداً دائماً في الحياة الإنسانية ما هو إلا البحث عن توازن ما، إنه اللهاث خلف وسطية بين أعداد لا تحصى من التصرفات المتطرفة والمتناقضة التي تبرز في السلوك الإنساني.”

“Morton came up out of the depths of his chair. ‘And what about this basic human characteristic, of which religion is merely an outward expression ?’ The stranger made a gesture. ‘Silkey, exhibiting freaks, was really exhibiting himself. Religion is self-dramatization before a god. Self-love, narcissism — in our own little way we show ourselves off . . . and so a strange being could come into our midst unsuspected.”