I learned that I' have to be detached if I was ever to achieve anything at all. — Iain Pears Achieve Copy Share Image
The simple fact that something has not been done, is no proof that it cannot be. — Iain Pears Done Copy Share Image
“The rolling sound of a good hymn badly sung is particularly evocative.” — Iain Pears Evocative Copy Share Image
Power without wisdom is tyranny; wisdom without power is pointless, — Iain Pears Inspirational Copy Share Image
“creating a void which others seek to fill through conversation.” — Iain Pears Communication Copy Share Image
Philosophy cannot be extinguished, though men will try ... The spirit seeks the light, that is its nature. It wishes to return… — Iain Pears Buddhism Copy Share Image
The evil done by men of goodwill is the worst of all ... We have done terrible things, for the best of… — Iain Pears Done Copy Share Image
“An in experienced traveler would imagine that their land contains the finest buildings, the biggest towns, the richest, best-fed, happiest people in… — Iain Pears Happiest people Copy Share Image
“Caius was one of those who gloried in his ignorance, called his lack of letters purity, scorned any subtlety of thought or… — Iain Pears Civilization Copy Share Image
“Do you wish to speak in Provençal, French, or Latin? They are all I can manage, I'm afraid." "Any will do," the… — Iain Pears Arrogance Copy Share Image
Every cataclysm is welcomed by somebody; there is always someone to rejoice at disaster and see in it the prospect of a… — Iain Pears Better world Copy Share Image
“Father is a school manqué ... He always wanted to write books. But he became rich instead, so is not allowed.” — Iain Pears Aspirations Copy Share Image
For men are held above their fellows by the gossamer of reputation, which is so soft and fragile a breath can blow… — Iain Pears Blow Copy Share Image
“some were simple idlers spending an inheritance pretending to be poets or painters; and a couple were medical students, who had a… — Iain Pears Idlers Copy Share Image
“It was, for the time being, an empty threat, and he must have sensed it also, for he laughed easily and with… — Iain Pears Contempt Copy Share Image
God forbid that I should ever suffer the shame of publishing a book for money, or of having one of my family… — Iain Pears Book Copy Share Image
“The dance of capital, the harmony of a balance sheet, and the way these abstractions interact with people, their characters and desires,… — Iain Pears Abstractions Copy Share Image
“He had volunteered early, rather than waiting to be conscripted, for he felt a duty and an obligation to serve, and believed… — Iain Pears Freedom Copy Share Image
“Felix had gone to live in a lotus land of his imagination. Where what is desired is dreamed of as already happened,… — Iain Pears Castles in the air Copy Share Image
Virtue comes through contemplation of the divine, and the exercise of philosophy. But it also comes through public service. The one is… — Iain Pears Character Copy Share Image
“I (John Stone) have never had any great desire to abolish poverty or save fallen women; I am, and always have been,… — Iain Pears Desire for power Copy Share Image
“She had lost herself in this old work, her personality dissolving into it, so that she had been set free. The immortality… — Iain Pears Dissolution Copy Share Image
“A company is a moral imbecile. It has no sense of right or wrong. Any restraints have to come from the outside,… — Iain Pears Business Copy Share Image
“And there will be no waste, I promise you," he went on, waving his finger in the air as he got into… — Iain Pears Pickle Copy Share Image
[Men] prefer the foolish belief and the passions of the earth [to the enlightenment of their souls]. They believe the absurd and… — Iain Pears Absurd Copy Share Image
“Although of course I am aware that it changes colour in a jar. But we know why, surely? The heavier melancholic elements… — Iain Pears Blood Copy Share Image
Was not Hypatia the greatest philosopher of Alexandria, and a true martyr to the old values of learning? She was torn to… — Iain Pears Alexandria Copy Share Image
Do you know, the only people I can have a conversation with are the Jews? At least when they quote scripture at… — Iain Pears Argument Copy Share Image
“Considering he was neither priest nor scholar, the young man gave sensible, thoughtful replies -- the more so, perhaps, for being untrained,… — Iain Pears Catholicism Copy Share Image
“I have brought peace to this land, and security," he began. "And what of your soul, when you use the cleverness of… — Iain Pears Corruption Copy Share Image
“I had never before spent a night with a woman, had someone lying by my side in the quietness of the dark,… — Iain Pears Bible Copy Share Image
“This is a perfectly good picture. And if I didn't know you, I would be impressed and charmed. But I do know… — Iain Pears Art Copy Share Image
“Aunt Gertie could not tell the difference between 1928 and now. Uncle Joseph was dead and alive. In other words, she grasped… — Iain Pears Past future Copy Share Image
“Lying," he said out loud, hoping no one would hear. "I need to lie. Teach me, quickly." I wouldn't if I were… — Iain Pears Body movement Copy Share Image
The devil himself can become beauty, so we are told, to corrupt mankind." (Marco) — Iain Pears Beauty Copy Share Image