Philip Pullman Quotes

A collection of quotes by Philip Pullman.

Philip Pullman is a renowned British author, best known for his fantasy trilogy "His Dark Materials," which has captivated readers worldwide. Born on October 19, 1946, in Norwich, England, Pullman grew up in a time when books were a central part of his life. His love for storytelling blossomed at an early age, and he was heavily influenced by authors such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Pullman studied at the Exeter College, Oxford, where he immersed himself in English literature and found inspiration for his future works. He began his career as a teacher before venturing into writing full-time. He gained recognition with his novel "Northern Lights" (published as "The Golden Compass" in the United States), the first installment of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy, which was widely praised for its imaginative world-building, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes.

With the immense success of the trilogy, which includes "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass," Pullman became a prominent figure in young adult literature. His work explores philosophical and moral concepts, religion, and the power of storytelling, resonating with readers of all ages. Pullman has received numerous accolades for his writing, including the prestigious Carnegie Medal, and his books have been adapted into a successful BBC television series and a major Hollywood film.

Beyond "His Dark Materials," Pullman has written several other novels, including "The Ruby in the Smoke" and "The Book of Dust" series, as well as numerous shorter works. Today, his remarkable storytelling continues to captivate audiences and inspire a new generation of readers.

I told him I was going to betray you, and betray Lyra, and h

I told him I was going to betray you, and betray Lyra, and he believed me because I was corrupt and full of wickedness; he looked so deep I felt sure he'd see the truth. But I lied too well. I was lying with every nerve and fiber and everything I'd ever done...I wanted him to find no good in me, and he didn't. There is none.

I had passed through the entire British education system stu

I had passed through the entire British education system studying literature, culminating in three years of reading English at Oxford, and they'd never told me about something as basic as the importance of point of view in fiction!

Both the Oblation Board and the Specters of Indifference are

Both the Oblation Board and the Specters of Indifference are bewitched by this truth about human beings: that innocence is different from experience. The Oblation Board fears and hates Dust, and the Specters feast on it, but it's Dust both of them are obsessed by.

Experience Truth Innocence

Men pass in front of our eyes like butterflies, creatures of

Men pass in front of our eyes like butterflies, creatures of a brief season. We love them; they are brave, proud, beautiful, clever; and they die almost at once. They die so soon that our hearts are continually wracked with pain.

Her last conscious thought was disgust at life; her senses h

Her last conscious thought was disgust at life; her senses had lied to her. The world was not made of energy and delight but of foulness, betrayal, and lassitude. Living was hateful, and death was no better, and from end to end of the universe this was the first and last and only truth.

Life Death Truth

I am a strong believer in the tyranny, the dictatorship, the

I am a strong believer in the tyranny, the dictatorship, the absolute authority of the writer.

Inspirational Tyranny Writing

We shouldn't live as if [other worlds] mattered more than th

We shouldn't live as if [other worlds] mattered more than this life in this world, because where we are is always the most important place.

If you want something you can have it, but only if you want

If you want something you can have it, but only if you want everything that goes with it, including all the hard work and the despair, and only if you're willing to risk failure.

Life Inspirational

Adam and Eve are like imaginary number, like the square root

Adam and Eve are like imaginary number, like the square root of minus one... If you include it in your equation, you can calculate all manners of things, which cannot be imagined without it.

God Religion Science Mathematics Thinking Inspiration

She said that all the history of human life has been a strug

She said that all the history of human life has been a struggle between wisdom and stupidity. She and the rebel angels, the followers of wisdom, have always tried to open minds; the Authority and his churches have always tried to keep them closed.

Wisdom Life History Mind

As for what it's against - the story is against those who pe

As for what it's against - the story is against those who pervert and misuse religion, or any other kind of doctrine with a holy book and a priesthood and an apparatus of power that wields unchallengeable authority, in order to dominate and suppress human freedoms.

Science Inspirational Controversy

It was all very well, the alethiometer telling her to be tru

It was all very well, the alethiometer telling her to be truthful, but she knew what would happen if she told the whole truth. She had to tread carefully and just avoid direct lies.

One moment several things are possible, the next moment only

One moment several things are possible, the next moment only one happens, and the rest don't exist. Except that other worlds have sprung into being, on which the did happen.

Life Science Existence

We feel cold, but we don't mind it, because we will not come

We feel cold, but we don't mind it, because we will not come to harm. And if we wrapped up against the cold, we wouldn't feel other things, like the bright tingle of the stars, or the music of the aurora, or best of all the silky feeling of moonlight on our skin. It's worth being cold for that.

Nature Beauty Witches Winter Moonlight

I have maintained a passionate interest in education, which

I have maintained a passionate interest in education, which leads me occasionally to make foolish and ill-considered remarks alleging that not everything is well in our schools.

What I couldn't help noticing was that I learned more about

What I couldn't help noticing was that I learned more about the novel in a morning by trying to write a page of one than I'd learned in seven years or so of trying to write criticism.

True education flowers at the point when delight falls in lo

True education flowers at the point when delight falls in love with responsibility.

'Thou shalt not' is soon forgotten, but 'Once upon a time' l

'Thou shalt not' is soon forgotten, but 'Once upon a time' lasts forever.