I think of an author as somebody who goes into the marketplace and puts down his rug and says, "I will tell… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
The quality of what is said inevitably influences the way in which it is said, however inexperienced the writer. — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
The most original thing a writer can do is write like himself. It is also his most difficult task. — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
There is absolutely no point in sitting down to write a book unless you feel that you must write that book, or… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
It is in this matter that I fall foul of so many American writers on writing; they seem to think that writing… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
As the tragic writer rids us of what is petty and ignoble in our nature, so also the humorist rids us of… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
“You played it with great seriousness. And it is not such an uncommon game. Do you know Ibsen's poem -- To live… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
The best among our writers are doing their accustomed work of mirroring what is deep in the spirit of our time; if… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
To ask an author who hopes to be a serious writer if his work is autobiographical is like asking a spider where… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
That is the operatic problem; the singer must keep up a big head of steam while trying to appear secretive, or seductive,… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
I don't think I would ever write a book with what anybody could call pornography in it, because I feel that pornography… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
Many authors write like amateur blacksmiths making their first horseshoe; the clank of the anvil, the stench of the scorched leather apron,… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
If I had my way books would not be written in English, but in an exceedingly difficult secret language that only skilled… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
Great drama, drama that may reach the alchemical level, must have dimension and its relevance will take care of itself. Writing about… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
“I had become wiser, I tried to find out what irony really is, and discovered that some ancient writer on poetry had… — Robertson Davies Copy Share Image
“...the irrational will have its say, perhaps because 'irrational' is the wrong word for it.” — Robertson Davies Copy Share
If you're going to do something that looks evil, don't smear it with icing and pretend it's good; just bloody well do it and… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and they become more extraordinary because of it. — Robertson Davies Copy Share
Although there may be nothing new under the sun, what is old is new to us and so rich and astonishing that we never… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
If I had to describe my remarks this evening frankly as if I were in police court and on oath, so to speak I… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
The people of the United States, perhaps more than any other nation in history, love to abase themselves and proclaim their unworthiness, and seem… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
I don't suppose God laughs at the people who think He doesn't exist. He's above jokes. But the devil isn't. That's one of his… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
Inactivity and deprivation of all accustomed stimulus is not rest; it is a preparation for the tomb — Robertson Davies Copy Share
“My lifelong involvement with Mrs Dempster began at 5:58 o'clock p.m. on 27 December 1908, at which time I was ten years and seven months old.” — Robertson Davies Copy Share
In a government like ours, the Crown is the abiding and unshakable element in government; politicians may come and go, but the Crown remains… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
There can be no doubt that Samuel Marchbanks is one of the choice and master spirits of this age. If there were such a… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
Nobody who looks as though he enjoyed life is ever called distinguished, though he is a man in a million. — Robertson Davies Copy Share
They're all so highly educated, you know. Education is a great shield against experience. It offers so much, ready-made and all from the best… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
Students today are a pretty solemn lot. One of the really notable achievements of the twentieth century has been to make the young old… — Robertson Davies Copy Share
