“His idleness was his refuge, and in this he was like many others in [occupied] France in that period; laziness became political.” — Iain Pears Idleness 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 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
“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
“Civilization depends on continually making the effort, of never giving in. It needs to be cared for by men of goodwill, protected… — Iain Pears Civilization 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
The evil done by men of goodwill is the worst of all ... We have done terrible things, for the best of… — Iain Pears Copy Share Image
She was looking for something I could never give her." Again his dark eyes bored into Julia's mind. "You have something of… — Iain Pears Advice 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
“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
“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
“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
“some were simple idlers spending an inheritance pretending to be poets or painters; and a couple were medical students, who had a… — Iain Pears 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
In my small way, I preserved and catalogued, and dipped into the vast ocean of learning that awaited, knowing all the time… — Iain Pears Desire Copy Share Image
When all this is over, people will try to blame the Germans alone, and the Germans will try to blame the Nazis… — Iain Pears Bears Copy Share Image
“Politics bores you?" Bronsen said. Julien smiled. "It does. Apologies, sir, and it is not that I haven't tried to be fascinated.… — Iain Pears Civilization 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
[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 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
“Young men of my type are prone to be impatient of details, and give their loyalties without regard to evidence.” — Iain Pears Loyalties 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
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
“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 Copy Share Image
![“His idleness was his refuge, and in this he was like many others in [occupied] France in that period; laziness became political.” quote by Iain Pears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/747/iain-pears-9652_idleness_his-idleness-was-his-refuge-and-in-this_3095522.png)
![“[Men] prefer the foolish belief and the passions of the earth [to the enlightenment of their souls]. They believe the absurd and shrink from the truth.No, they do not. They are afraid, that is all. And they must remain on earth until they come to the way of leaving it.And how do they leave? How is…” quote by Iain Pears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f8/iain-pears-9652_absurd_men-prefer-the-foolish-belief-and-the-pa_2814739.png)
