Sir,โ said Stephen, โI read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them--I look upon good novels--as a very valuable part of literature, conveying more exact and finely-distinguished knowledge of the human heart and mind than almost any other, with greater breadth and depth and fewer constraints.
Patrick O'BrianThere is a systematic flocci-nauci-nihili-pilification of all other aspects of existence that angers me.
Patrick O'BrianThat would be locking the horse after the stable door is gone, a very foolish thing to do.
Patrick O'BrianAuthority is a solvent of humanity: look at any husband, any father of a family,and note the absorption of the person by the persona, the individual by the role. Then multiply the family, and the authority, by some hundreds and see the effect upon a sea-captain, to say nothing of an absolute monarch.Surely man in general is born to be oppressed or solitary, if he is to be fully human; unless it so happens that he is immune to the poison.
Patrick O'Brian