Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul. — Rebecca West
God forbid that any book should be banned. The practice is as indefensible as infanticide. — Rebecca West
A copy of the universe is not what is required of art; one of the damned things is ample. — Rebecca West
A strong hatred is the best lamp to bear in our hands as we go over the dark places of life — Rebecca West
All men should have a drop of treason in their veins, if nations are not to go soft like so many sleepy pears. — Rebecca West
But there are other things than dissipation that thicken the features. Tears, for example. — Rebecca West
There is no such thing as conversation. It is an illusion. There are intersecting monologues. That is all. — Rebecca West
Nobody likes having salt rubbed into their wounds, even if it is the salt of the earth. — Rebecca West
Did st. Francis really preach to the birds? whatever for? if he really liked birds he would. — Rebecca West
Before a war military science seems a real science, like astronomy; but after a war it seems more like astrology. — Rebecca West