Rebecca West Quotes

A collection of quotes by Rebecca West.

Rebecca West (1892-1983) was a prolific British author, journalist, and literary critic. Born as Cicely Isabel Fairfield in London, she adopted the pen name Rebecca West early on in her career. West is widely recognized as an influential voice in 20th-century literature and feminism.

Her career began as a journalist, working for feminist publications and newspapers in London. She wrote extensively on various topics, including women's suffrage, politics, and social issues. West gained international recognition for her coverage of World War I, reporting from the frontlines in Europe.

Aside from her journalistic pursuits, West authored several critically acclaimed novels, plays, and non-fiction works. Her most famous novel, "The Return of the Soldier," published in 1918, explored the psychological impact of war on individuals. Other notable works include "Black Lamb and Grey Falcon," an epic travelogue about Yugoslavia, and "The Fountain Overflows," a semi-autobiographical novel.

As a fearless and independent thinker, West's writing often challenged societal norms and explored the complexities of human relationships and politics. She was known for her sharp intellect, wit, and insightful analysis. Rebecca West's influential literary contributions have left a lasting impact, earning her a place among the prominent figures of 20th-century literature.

The trouble about man is twofold. He cannot learn truths whi

The trouble about man is twofold. He cannot learn truths which are too complicated; he forgets truths which are too simple.

The main difference between men and women is that men are lu

The main difference between men and women is that men are lunatics and women are idiots.

The memory, experiencing and re-experiencing, has such power

The memory, experiencing and re-experiencing, has such power over one's mere personal life, that one has merely lived.

All good biography, as all good fiction, comes down to the s

All good biography, as all good fiction, comes down to the study of original sin, of our inherent disposition to choose death when we ought to choose life.

Men must be capable of imagining and executing and insisting

Men must be capable of imagining and executing and insisting on social change if they are to reform or even maintain civilization, and capable too of furnishing the rebellion which is sometimes necessary if society is not to perish of immobility.

Reform Correction

All men should have a drop of treason in their veins, if nat

All men should have a drop of treason in their veins, if nations are not to go soft like so many sleepy pears.

I wonder if we are all wrong about each other, if we are jus

I wonder if we are all wrong about each other, if we are just composing unwritten novels about the people we meet?

Just how difficult it is to write biography can be reckoned

Just how difficult it is to write biography can be reckoned by anybody who sits down and considers just how many people know the real truth about his or her love affairs.

Great music is in a sense serene it is certain of the values

Great music is in a sense serene it is certain of the values it asserts.

There is no logical reason why the camel of great art should

There is no logical reason why the camel of great art should pass through the needle of mob intelligence.

A strong hatred is the best lamp to bear in our hands as we

A strong hatred is the best lamp to bear in our hands as we go over the dark places of life, cutting away the dead things men tell us to revere.

Now different races and nationalities cherish different idea

Now different races and nationalities cherish different ideals of society that stink in each other's nostrils with an offensiveness beyond the power of any but the most monstrous private deed.

She saw she had fallen into the hands of one of those doctor

She saw she had fallen into the hands of one of those doctors who have strayed too far from apparent in the direction of the soul.

But there are other things than dissipation that thicken the

But there are other things than dissipation that thicken the features. Tears, for example.

We all drew on the comfort which is given out by the major w

We all drew on the comfort which is given out by the major works of Mozart, which is as real and material as the warmth given up by a glass of brandy.

The main difference between men and woman is that men are lu

The main difference between men and woman is that men are lunatics and woman are idiots.

People call me feminist whenever I express sentiments that d

People call me feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.

He is every other inch a gentleman.

He is every other inch a gentleman.

International relationships are preordained to be clumsy ges

International relationships are preordained to be clumsy gestures based on imperfect knowledge.

There is no such thing as conversation. It is an illusion. T

There is no such thing as conversation. It is an illusion. There are interesting monologues, that is all.