I saw him open his mouth wide. . . as though he had wanted to swallow all the air, all the earth, all the men before him.
Joseph ConradFor there is nothing mysterious to a seaman unless it be the sea itself, which is the mistress of his existence.
Joseph ConradThe artist appeals to that part of our being...which is a gift and not an acquisition - and, therefore, more permanently enduring.
Joseph ConradIt is my belief no man ever understands quite his own artful dodges to escape from the grim shadow of self knowledge.
Joseph ConradThe word 'ivory' rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it. A taint of imbecile rapacity blew through it all, like a whiff from some corpse. By Jove! I've never seen anything so unreal in my life. And outside, the silent wilderness surrounding this cleared speck on the earth struck me as something great and invincible, like evil or truth, waiting patiently for the passing away of this fantastic invasion.
Joseph Conrad