Murder is the unique crime, the only one for which we can never make reparation to the victim. P. D. James More Quotes by P. D. James More Quotes From P. D. James It was reasonable to struggle, to suffer, perhaps even to die, for a more just, a more compassionate society, but not in a world with no future where, all to soon, the very words "justice," "compassion," "society," "struggle," "evil," would be unheard echoes on an empty air. P. D. James echoes compassion struggle I wonder if childhood is ever really happy. Just as well, perhaps. To be blissfully happy so young would leave one always seeking to recapture the unobtainable. Like those people who were always happiest at school or university. Always going back. No reunion ever missed. It always seemed to me rather pathetic. P. D. James childhood people school He didn't want her; he wanted me. Well, you know how it is." Dalgliesh did know. This, after all, was the commonest, the most banal of personal tragedies. You loved someone. They didn't love you. Worse still, in defiance of their own best interests and to the destruction of your peace, they loved another. What would half the world's poets and novelists do without this universal tragicomedy? P. D. James tragedy half love-you If from infancy you treat children as gods, they are liable in adulthood to act as devils. P. D. James inspirational kids children I don't want anyone to look to me, not for protection, not for happiness, not for love, not for anything. P. D. James protection want looks It is surely unreasonable to credit that only one small star in the immensity of the universe is capable of developing and supporting intelligent life. But we shall not get to them and they will not come to us. P. D. James credit intelligent stars History, which interprets the past to understand the present and confront the future is the least rewarding discipline for a dying species. P. D. James discipline dying past I learned early and at that kitchen table that there are ways of avoiding, without guilt, the commitments of love. P. D. James kitchen guilt commitment It's possible to fight intolerance, stupidity and fanaticism when they come separately. When you get all three together it's probably wiser to get out, if only to preserve your sanity. P. D. James fighting stupid together The weekend break had begun with the usual resentment and had continued with half-repressed ill humour. It was, of course, his fault. He had been more ready to hurt his wife's feelings and deprive his daughter than inconvenience a pub bar full of strangers. He wished there could be one memory of his dead child which wasn't tainted with guilt and regret. P. D. James daughter hurt children I still occasionally need to struggle but I now fear it less. The weapons I fight it with are also my consolations: books, music, food, wine, nature. P. D. James wine struggle book The great tragedy of Alzheimer's disease, and the reason why we dread it, is that it leaves us with no defence, not even against those who love us. P. D. James alzheimers disease tragedy Metaphysical speculation is about as pointless as a discussion on the meaning of one's lungs. They're for breathing. P. D. James metaphysical breathing speculation The greatest mystery of all is the human heart. P. D. James human-heart mystery heart I find it extraordinary that a straightforward if inelegant device for ensuring the survival of the species should involve human beings in such emotional turmoil. Does sex have to be taken so seriously? P. D. James emotional taken sex Charm is always genuine; it may be superficial but it isn't false. P. D. James charm superficial may Crime fiction confirms our belief, despite some evidence to the contrary, that we live in a rational, comprehensible, and moral universe. P. D. James moral belief fiction There are few couples as unhappy as those who are too proud to admit their unhappiness. P. D. James proud couple unhappy In 1930s mysteries, all sorts of motives were credible which aren't credible today, especially motives of preventing guilty sexual secrets from coming out. Nowadays, people sell their guilty sexual secrets. P. D. James secret today people No government can act in advance of the moral will of the people. P. D. James moral government people
