Quotes from David Cecil

The visible structure of Jane Austen's stories may be flimsy enough; but their foundations drive deep down into the basic principles of human conduct. On her bit of ivory she has engraved a criticism of life as serious and as considers as Hardy's.

The critic's aim should be to interpret the work they are writing about and help readers appreciate it, by defining and analysing those qualities that make it precious and by indicating the angle of visions from which its beauties are visible. But many critics do not realize their function. They aim not to appreciate, but to judge; they seek first to draw lines about literature and then bully readers into accepting these laws.

She lacked those colder qualities that carry the Lady Melbournes of this world securely to prosperity. Too soft-hearted, too ungoverned, she could not take a firm line with herself or anyone else.

The fault of opposition", he remarked, "is a determination to make differences where few exist and those trifling.

It is not to be imagined that William entered on this new chapter of his wedded life with rosy expectations. However, he had long ago given up expecting much of anything. Drama, as usually happens in real life, had ended not in tragic denouement, but in lassitude and anti-climax. In pity, in exasperation, in ironical apathy, he settled down to his accustomed round.

Love had turned out the most painful of all his disillusionments. Further, the misfortunes of his wedded life had intensified that morbid self-protectiveness, that propensity at all costs to avoid trouble, which was a major defect of his character.

I like what is joyous and agreeable," he ejaculated, "I hate what is disagreeable and melancholy.

We are happy in proportion as we believe ourselves and our life to be of value; and few people are so disinterested or so conceited as to trust wholly to their own judgment in this matter.

Born to be a husband and a father, he found himself, through no fault of his own, when near on seventy, a childless widower; well liked by many, but needed by none.

You must be careful about giving any drink whatsoever to a bore. A lit-up bore is the worst in the world.