Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us for they contain our very thoughts, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to the truth, and our persistent leanings to error. But most of all they resemble us in their precious hold on life.
Joseph ConradI would not unduly praise the virtue of restraint. It is often merely temperamental. But it is not always a sign of coldness. It may be pride. There can be nothing more humiliating than to see the shaft of one's emotion miss the mark of either laughter or tears. Nothing more humiliating! And this for the reason that should the mark be missed, should the open display of emotion fail to move, then it must perish unavoidably in disgust or contempt.
Joseph ConradYou can't breathe dead hippo waking, sleeping, and eating, and at the same time keep your precarious grip on existence.
Joseph ConradI 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 ConradThere is a kind way of assisting our fellow-creatures which is enough to break their hearts while it saves their outer envelope.
Joseph Conrad