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Quotes of the Day for 3 December 2004 - Joseph Conrad

Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski was born on this day in 1857 at Berdichev, Poland. Over a long and tumultuous life - which included gunrunning, mastering sailing vessels, and serious injuries both accidental and self-inflicted - he found time to write a bit under the name on his British passport, Joseph Conrad. Lord Jim, The Nigger of the "Narcissus", and Heart of Darkness are all classics because of his insight and skillful descriptions.

A man's most open actions have a secret side to them.

Action is consolatory. It is the enemy of thought and the friend of illusions.

As in political so in literary action a man wins friends for himself mostly by the passion of his prejudices and the consistent narrowness of his outlook.

Illusory joy is often worth more than genuine sorrow.

It is not the clear-sighted who rule the world. Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed, warm fog.

It is respectable to have no illusions, and safe, and profitable, and dull.

The human heart is vast enough to contain all the world.
     - All from Joseph Conrad, 1857 - 1924

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