Cyril Connolly Quotes

A collection of quotes by Cyril Connolly.

Cyril Connolly was a renowned British literary critic, writer, and journalist, born on September 10, 1903, in Coventry, England. He is best remembered for his influential contributions to the world of literature during the mid-20th century. Connolly's critical reviews and incisive essays made him a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time.

He gained recognition as the editor of Horizon, an influential literary magazine, which he co-founded in 1939. Through Horizon, Connolly showcased the works of emerging writers and established voices, making it a platform for intellectual and artistic discussions. The magazine was known for its focus on cultural and political issues of the era.

In addition to his editorial roles, Connolly authored several books, including "Enemies of Promise" (1938), a semi-autobiographical work where he explored the challenges and pitfalls faced by aspiring writers. His other notable works include "The Condemned Playground" (1945) and "The Unquiet Grave" (1944).

Connolly had a distinctive writing style, characterized by his sharp wit, a deep understanding of literature, and a critical introspection that revealed his personal neuroses. He was highly regarded for his astute observations on literature, art, and society at large, which earned him a loyal following.

Cyril Connolly's influence extended beyond his own writing, as he used his platform to support and promote other writers, leaving an indelible mark on the literary world. He passed away on November 26, 1974, leaving behind a legacy of insightful criticism and a commitment to championing literature.

There are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what

There are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what the neighbours will say.

The dread of loneliness is greater than the fear of bondage,

The dread of loneliness is greater than the fear of bondage, so we get married.

Truth is a river that is always splitting up into arms that

Truth is a river that is always splitting up into arms that reunite. Islanded between the arms the inhabitants argue for a lifetime as to which is the main river.

The secret of success is to be in harmony with existence, to

The secret of success is to be in harmony with existence, to be always calm to let each wave of life wash us a little farther up the shore.

It is only in the country that we can get to know a person o

It is only in the country that we can get to know a person or a book.

Hate is the consequence of fear we fear something before we

Hate is the consequence of fear we fear something before we hate it a child who fears noises becomes a man who hates noise.

Life is a maze in which we take the wrong turn before we hav

Life is a maze in which we take the wrong turn before we have learnt to walk.

Nothing dates like hate and in literature a little of it goe

Nothing dates like hate and in literature a little of it goes a very long way.

Our memories are card indexes consulted and then returned in

Our memories are card indexes consulted and then returned in disorder by authorities whom we do not control.

A mistake which is commonly made about neurotics is to suppo

A mistake which is commonly made about neurotics is to suppose that they are interesting. It is not interesting to be always unhappy, engrossing with oneself, malignant and ungrateful, and never quite in touch with reality.

When young we are faithful to individuals, when older we gro

When young we are faithful to individuals, when older we grow loyal to situations and to types.

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to wri

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.

Authors & Writing

We must select the Illusion which appeals to our temperament

We must select the Illusion which appeals to our temperament and embrace it with passion, if we want to be happy.

The English masses are lovable: they are kind, decent, toler

The English masses are lovable: they are kind, decent, tolerant, practical and not stupid. The tragedy is that they are too many of them, and that they are aimless, having outgrown the servile functions for which they were encouraged to multiply. One day these huge crowds will have to seize power because there will be nothing else for them to do, and yet they neither demand power nor are ready to make use of it; they will learn only to be bored in a new way.

There is no pain equal to that which two lovers can inflict

There is no pain equal to that which two lovers can inflict on one another. This should be made clear to all who contemplate such a union. The avoidance of this pain is the beginning of wisdom, for it is strong enough to contaminate the rest of our lives.

We love but once, for once only are we perfectly equipped fo

We love but once, for once only are we perfectly equipped for loving.

A lazy person, whatever the talents with which he set out, w

A lazy person, whatever the talents with which he set out, will have condemned himself to second-hand thoughts and to second-rate friends.

Except for poverty, incompatibility, opposition of parents,

Except for poverty, incompatibility, opposition of parents, absence of love on one side and of desire to marry on both, nothing stands in the way of our happy union.

A writer is in danger of allowing his talent to dull who let

A writer is in danger of allowing his talent to dull who lets more than a year go past without finding himself in his rightful place of composition, the small single unluxurious retreat of the twentieth century, the hotel bedroom.

In America every woman has her set of girl-friends; some are

In America every woman has her set of girl-friends; some are cousins, the rest are gained at school. These form a permanent committee who sit on each other's affairs, who come out together, marry and divorce together, and who end as those groups of bustling, heartless well-informed club-women who govern society. Against them the Couple of Ehepaar is helpless and Man in their eyes but a biological interlude.