Quotes from Matthew Pearl

The books do pretend, Mr. Branagan. Surely. But that is not all. Novels are filled with lies, but squeezed in between is even more that is true—without what you may call the lies, the pages would be too light for the truth, you see?

exaggeration is the octopus of the English language

These people build as if they were immortal and eat as if they were to die instantly.

Money is good, but it is not all about a man. You will have successes and reversals, but remember it is your reaction to each of them that counts for your character.

Do not ask what brings Dante to man but what brings man to Dante-to personally enter his sphere, though it is forever severe and unforgiving.'

On the trees were no longer only leaves but brown fruits, on the bushes no longer blossoms but clusters of red berries. And the wind had a rough manliness in its voice - the tone not of a lover but of a husband.

Sepa que cuando soy amigo de un hombre lo soy para siempre, y es muy difícil hacerme volver atrás. Y aunque un hombre pueda gozar siendo mi enemigo, no puede convertirme a mí en el suyo mientras yo no quiera. Buenas tardes.

Pity without rigor would be cowardly egotism, mere sentimentality.'