The people who are always monkeying with these great books to make them fully (comprehensible) have no friend in me, for in their realm the fully comprehensible is not worth comprehending.

Quote by Robertson Davies

Topics: Books Quotes

What we call luck is the inner man externalized. We make things happen to us.

What we call luck is the inner man externalized. We make things happen to us.

Tristan and Isolde were lucky to die when they did. They'd have been sick of...

Tristan and Isolde were lucky to die when they did. They'd have been sick of...

The clerisy are those who read for pleasure, but not for idleness; who read for...

The clerisy are those who read for pleasure, but not for idleness; who read for...

The people who fear humor - and there are many -are suspicious of its power...

The people who fear humor - and there are many -are suspicious of its power...

To be a book-collector is to combine the worst characteristics of a dope fiend with...

To be a book-collector is to combine the worst characteristics of a dope fiend with...

A Librettist is a mere drudge in the world of opera.

A Librettist is a mere drudge in the world of opera.

Do not suppose, however, that I intend to urge a diet of classics on anybody....

Do not suppose, however, that I intend to urge a diet of classics on anybody....

The most original thing a writer can do is write like himself. It is also...

The most original thing a writer can do is write like himself. It is also...

The people who are always monkeying with these great books to make them fully (comprehensible)...

The people who are always monkeying with these great books to make them fully (comprehensible)...

Fanaticism is overcompensation for doubt.

Fanaticism is overcompensation for doubt.

I was not sure I wanted to issue orders to life; I rather liked the...

I was not sure I wanted to issue orders to life; I rather liked the...

The average politician goes through a sentence like a man exploring a disused mine shaft-blind,...

The average politician goes through a sentence like a man exploring a disused mine shaft-blind,...

A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more...

A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more...

Students today are a pretty solemn lot. One of the really notable achievements of the...

Students today are a pretty solemn lot. One of the really notable achievements of the...

Pessimism is a very easy way out when you're considering what life really is, because...

Pessimism is a very easy way out when you're considering what life really is, because...

Few people can see genius in someone who has offended them.

Few people can see genius in someone who has offended them.

I see Canada as a country torn between a very northern, rather extraordinary, mystical spirit...

I see Canada as a country torn between a very northern, rather extraordinary, mystical spirit...

No people in the world can make you feel so small as the English.

No people in the world can make you feel so small as the English.

The drama may be called that part of theatrical art which lends itself most readily...

The drama may be called that part of theatrical art which lends itself most readily...

I do not 'get' ideas; ideas get me.

I do not 'get' ideas; ideas get me.