Martha Gellhorn Quotes

A collection of quotes by Martha Gellhorn.

Martha Gellhorn (1908-1998) was an American journalist and war correspondent who reported on major conflicts throughout the 20th century. Known for her courage and tenacity, she covered events such as the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the Vietnam War. Gellhorn's powerful reporting style focused on the human impact of war and social injustices. Aside from her journalism career, she also wrote novels, short stories, and essays, including the critically acclaimed book "The Face of War." Gellhorn's work left a lasting impact on the field of war journalism, inspiring future generations of reporters.

I tell you loneliness is the thing to master. Courage and fe

I tell you loneliness is the thing to master. Courage and fear, love, death are only parts of it and can easily be ruled afterwards. If I make myself master my own loneliness there will be peace or safety: and perhaps these are the same.

Martha Gellhorn

Death Love Peace Loneliness

Gradually I came to realize that people will more readily sw

Gradually I came to realize that people will more readily swallow lies than truth, as if the taste of lies was homey, appetizing: a habit.

Martha Gellhorn

After the desperate years of their own war, after six years

After the desperate years of their own war, after six years of repression inside Spain and six years of horror in exile, these people remain intact in spirit. They are armed with a transcendent faith they have never won, and yet they have never accepted defeat.

Martha Gellhorn

Why do people talk of the horrors of old age? It's great. I

Why do people talk of the horrors of old age? It's great. I feel like a fine old car with the parts gradually wearing out, but I'm not complaining,... Those who find growing old terrible are people who haven't done what they wanted with their lives.

Martha Gellhorn

And though various organizations in America and England coll

And though various organizations in America and England collected money and sent food parcels to these refugees, nothing was ever received by the Spanish.

Martha Gellhorn

Unless they are immediate victims, the majority of mankind b

Unless they are immediate victims, the majority of mankind behaves as if war was an act of God which could not be prevented; or they behave as if war elsewhere was none of their business. It would be a bitter cosmic joke if we destroy ourselves due to atrophy of the imagination.

Martha Gellhorn

I see mysteries and complications wherever I look, and I hav

I see mysteries and complications wherever I look, and I have never met a steadily logical person.

Martha Gellhorn

People may correctly remember the events of twenty years ago

People may correctly remember the events of twenty years ago (a remarkable feat), but who remembers his fears, his disgusts, his tone of voice? It is like trying to bring back the weather of that time.

Martha Gellhorn

It would be a bitter cosmic joke if we destroy ourselves due

It would be a bitter cosmic joke if we destroy ourselves due to atrophy of the imagination.

Martha Gellhorn