Quotes from Khushwant Singh

Santa was taking an evening walk, when it started to rain. To his relief, a car coming slowly towards him stopped next to where he was standing. Santa opened its door and jumped in. Once inside, he realised that there was no one else in the car. Thinking the car to be haunted, Santa started screaming. Then he heard Banta's voice, 'Oye Santa, what are you shouting for? Instead of sitting inside, come out and help me to push the car. I have run out of petrol.

You have seen the world and read many books, but take it from me that a snake can cast its slough but not its poison

The last to learn gossip are the parties concerned.

In the name of Nanak, By the hope that faith doth instill, By the Grace of God, We bear the world nothing but good will.

The Tiger in the Tunnel

It was the bruises on my lips that made me comprehend With what thoughtlessness I had kissed the rose

four rules of conduct (rahat): not to cut any hair on any part of their body (this was a repetition of the oath regarding the kes) ; not to smoke, chew tobacco, or consume alcoholic drinks; not to eat an animal which had been slaughtered by being bled to death, as was customary with the Muslims, but only jhatkd meat, where the animal had been despatched with one blow; and not to molest the person of Muslim women.

The great tragedy of life is not that men perish, but that they cease to love.

El mundo entero ha enloquecido. ¡Deje que enloquezca! ¿Qué importa si matan a mil personas más?

Friends meddle with my plan of work. I resent people dropping in for a chat.

I haven't any close friends. Friendship needs time to interact, sit down, gossip. I don't have that time.