James Stephens's Quotes

Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.

A sword, a spade, and a thought should never be allowed to rust.

Finality is death. Perfection is finality. Nothing is perfect. There are lumps in it.

You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.

A woman is a branchy tree and man a singing wind; and from her branches carelessly he takes what he can find.

Men come of age at sixty, women at fifteen.

Originality does not consist in saying what no one has ever said before, but in saying exactly what you think yourself.

Sleep is an excellent way of listening to an opera.

What the heart knows today the head will understand tomorrow.

Women and birds are able to see without turning their heads, and that is indeed a necessary provision for they are both surrounded by enemies.