Contradictions in human character are one of its most consistent notes. Muriel Spark More Quotes by Muriel Spark More Quotes From Muriel Spark I see no reason to keep silent about my enjoyment of the sound of my own voice as I work. Muriel Spark voice sound quiet If you choose the sort of life which has no conventional pattern you have to try to make an art of it, or it is a mess. Muriel Spark patterns trying art If I had my life over again I should form the habit of nightly composing myself to thoughts of death. I would practise, as it were, the remembrance of death. There is no other practice which so intensifies life. Death, when it approaches, ought not to take one by surprise. It should be part of the full expectancy of life. Without an ever-present sense of death life is insipid. Muriel Spark eggs practice death The true novelist is one who understands the work as a continuous poem, is a myth-maker, and the wonder of the art resides in the endless different ways of telling a story. Muriel Spark novelists different art A rebellion against a tyrant is only immoral when it hasn't got a chance. Muriel Spark tyrants revolution chance The letters of famous people can be placed into two categories: there is the type of letter which becomes itself a valuable contribution to literature through its wit, style or wisdom; another kind is that whose main importance lies in the provision of a background to their author's life. Especially in the correspondence of great writers and poets, these two factors are very often combined. Muriel Spark two lying people To me education is a leading out of what is already there in the pupil's soul. Muriel Spark great-education soul teacher everything happens to an artist; time is always redeemed, nothing is lost and wonders never cease. Muriel Spark artist wonder lost She wasn't a person to whom things happen. She did all the happenings. Muriel Spark happenings persons happens It is well, when in difficulties, to say never a word, neither black nor white. Speech is silver but silence is golden. Muriel Spark black silence white It is impossible to repent of love. The sin of love does not exist. Muriel Spark impossible doe love If you want to concentrate deeply on some problem, and especially some piece of writing or paper-work, you should acquire a cat . . . Muriel Spark pieces cat writing If you're going to do a thing, you should do it thoroughly. If you're going to be a Christian, you may as well be a Catholic. Muriel Spark catholic christian may It is one of the secrets of Nature in its mood of mockery that fine weather lays heavier weight on the mind and hearts of the depressed and the inwardly tormented than does a really bad day with dark rain sniveling continuously and sympathetically from a dirty sky. Muriel Spark bad-day rain dirty Ridicule is the only honorable weapon we have left. Muriel Spark ridicule honorable weapons One's prime is elusive. You little girls, when you grow up, must be on the alert to recognize your prime at whatever time of your life it may occur. You must then live it to the full. Muriel Spark growing-up girl time You look for one thing and you find another. Muriel Spark one-thing looks Being in love is something like poetry. Certainly, you can analyze and expound its various senses and intentions, but there is always something left over, mysteriously hovering between music and meaning. Muriel Spark hovering being-in-love love-is It is impossible to persuade a man who does not disagree, but smiles. Muriel Spark smile doe men Let us run up debts. One is nobody without debts. Muriel Spark debt running
