I have wrestled with death. It is the most unexciting contest you can imagine. Joseph Conrad More Quotes by Joseph Conrad More Quotes From Joseph Conrad The scrupulous and the just, the noble, humane, and devoted natures; the unselfish and the intelligent may begin a movement - but it passes away from them. They are not the leaders of a revolution. They are its victims. Joseph Conrad revolutionary-leadersintelligentnature Droll thing life is -- that mysterious arrangement of merciless logic for a futile purpose. The most you can hope from it is some knowledge of yourself -- that comes too late -- a crop of inextinguishable regrets. Joseph Conrad regretlifeknowledge To be busy with material affairs is the best preservative against reflection, fears, doubts ... all these things which stand in the way of achievement. I suppose a fellow proposing to cut his throat would experience a sort of relief while occupied in stropping his razor carefully. Joseph Conrad achievementcuttingreflection As a general rule, a reputation is built on manner as much as on achievement. Joseph Conrad builtreputationachievement You can't, in sound morals, condemn a man for taking care of his own integrity. It is his clear duty. Joseph Conrad honorintegritymen I take it that what all men are really after is some form or perhaps only some formula of peace. Joseph Conrad relaxationmenpeace History repeats itself, but the special call of an art which has passed away is never reproduced. It is as utterly gone out of the world as the song of a destroyed wild bird. Joseph Conrad songhistoryart He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense. Joseph Conrad intelligencewisdomsound Few men realize that their life, the very essence of their character, their capabilities and their audacities, are only the expression of their belief in the safety of their surroundings. Joseph Conrad characterphilosophyart I slipped the book into my pocket. I assure you to leave off reading was like tearing myself away from the shelter of an old and solid friendship. Joseph Conrad pocketsreadingbook I would not unduly praise the virtue of restraint. It is often merely temperamental. But it is not always a sign of coldness. It may be pride. There can be nothing more humiliating than to see the shaft of one's emotion miss the mark of either laughter or tears. Nothing more humiliating! And this for the reason that should the mark be missed, should the open display of emotion fail to move, then it must perish unavoidably in disgust or contempt. Joseph Conrad laughterpridemoving A writer without interest or sympathy for the foibles of his fellow man is not conceivable as a writer. Joseph Conrad fellow-manwritingmen The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness. Joseph Conrad oceanseamen It's only those who do nothing that make no mistakes, I suppose. Joseph Conrad agemistake They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force--nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others. Joseph Conrad forceweaknesswant Everybody had to be thoroughly understood before being accepted. Joseph Conrad being-acceptedacceptedunderstood We live as we dream - alone. While the dream disappears, the life continues painfully. Joseph Conrad disappeardream I do not know whether I have been a good seaman, but I know I have been a very faithful one. Joseph Conrad seamenfaithfulknows Vanity plays lurid tricks with our memory, and the truth of every passion wants some pretence to make it live. Joseph Conrad vanitypassionmemories It is to be remarked that a good many people are born curiously unfitted for the fate waiting them on this earth. Joseph Conrad fatewaitingpeople
