“As readers, we are seldom interested in the fine sentiments of a lesson learnt; we seldom care about the good manners of morals. Repentance puts an end to conversation; forgiveness becomes the stuff of moralistic tracts. Revenge - bloodthirsty, justice-hungry revenge - is the very essence of romance, lying at the heart of much of the best fiction.” HeartEndsCareRomanceLyingStuffJusticeFictionMoralFineReaderLessonsConversationEssenceRevengeHungryMannersGood ManRepentanceSentimentsGood Manners Author:Alberto Manguel
“It seems to me that life's circumstances, being ephemeral, teach us less about durable truths than the fictions based on those truths; and that the best lessons of delicacy and self-respect are to be found in novels where the feelings are so naturally portrayed that you fancy you are witnessing real life as you read.” RealSelfFeelingsSeemsFoundFictionTeachNovelCircumstancesLessonsReal LifeFancySelf RespectEphemeralDelicacy Author:Madame de Stael
“[Moralistic] novels are at the same disadvantage as teachers: children never believe them, because they make everything that happens relate to the lesson at hand.” BelieveChildrenHandsHappensFictionNovelTeacherLessonsRelateDisadvantages Author:Madame de Stael
“I know not whether the remark is to our honour or otherwise, that lessons of wisdom have never such power over us, as when they are wrought into the heart, through the ground-work of a story which engages the passions: Is it that we are like iron, and must first be heated before we can be wrought upon?” KnowsFirstsHeartStoriesPassionFictionLessonsIronHonourMaximsRemarks Book:The Works of Laurence Sterne ...: With a Life of the Author Source: The Works of Laurence Sterne ...: With a Life of the Author
“I'm fond of science fiction. But not all science fiction. I like science fiction where there's a scientific lesson, for example - when the science fiction book changes one thing but leaves the rest of science intact and explores the consequences of that. That's actually very valuable.” BookFictionOne ThingExampleLessonsConsequenceScience FictionValuable Author:Richard Dawkins