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Quote by Robertson Davies

“Though thousands of people indulge themselves in it regularly, and even develop a taste for it, there is no doubt in my mind (and that of scientists whom I employ to prove it) that Work is a dangerous and destructive drug, and should be called by its right name, which is Fatigue.”

Quote by Robertson Davies

Book:The papers of Samuel Marchbanks

Work

The papers of Samuel Marchbanks

This book presents a collection of letters, diaries, and other papers belonging to Samuel Marchbanks, providing a detailed look at his personal experiences and the historical context of his era. more

Author

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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“A man who recognizes no God is probably placing an inordinate value on himself.”

Book:Conversations with Robertson Davies

Source: Conversations with Robertson Davies

“When irony first makes itself known in a young man's life, it can be like his first experience of getting drunk; he has met with a powerful thing which he does not know how to handle.”

Knows Men Firsts Doe Young Powerful Known Know How Mets Handle Drunk Irony Young Man Getting Drunk

Book:The Cunning Man

Source: The Cunning Man

“The US, for historical reasons, mistrusts the concept of a welfare state, and this mistrust shows itself nakedly under present US government, which commits uncounted billions of the national wealth to what it calls defence, and is close-fisted in giving money to plans which would ameliorate the grinding poverty of a great part of its people. Quite simply, in Canada you could not get away with that.”

Source: The Merry Heart: Reflections on Reading, Writing, and the World of Books

“There is more to marriage than four bare legs under a blanket.”

Four Legs Blanket

Author:Robertson Davies

“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.”

Feels Trying Littles Actors Voice Effort Quality Audience Wall Laughter Shadow Response Boxes Theatre Screens Intimate Charm Performers Applause Mirth Appreciative Oasis

Author:Robertson Davies

“The Wild Hunt is known in all Celtic countries; it is a huntsman with a pack of hounds who is seen or heard to rush through the country. Those who see him are doomed to die. The writer heard the Wild Hunt quite distinctly one night in Wales several years ago, but has not suffered any ill effects from it as yet.”

Years Country Night Dies Known Heard Effects Years Ago Ill Packs Doomed Hunts One Night Wales Celtic Hounds

Author:Robertson Davies

“Aristocrats need not be rich, but they must be free, and in the modern world freedom grows rarer the more we prate about it.”

World Needs Grows Rich Modern Modern World

Author:Robertson Davies

“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.”

Thinking Writing Mean Matter Seems Fall Games Views Attitude Audience Hearing Point Of View Dull Prose Shallow Restless Foul Begets Writing By Writers American Writer

Author:Robertson Davies

“Anybody who has had experience of poetesses knows that they may forgive a punch on the jaw, but never a suggestion that they would be wiser to give up versifying.”

Knows Giving May Would Be Giving Up Forgiving Wiser Suggestions

Author:Robertson Davies

“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.”

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Book:Selected Works on the Pleasures of Reading

Source: Selected Works on the Pleasures of Reading