So always avoid banality. That is, avoid illustrating the author’s words and remarks. If you want to create a true masterpiece you must always avoid beautiful lies: the truths on the calender under each date you find a proverb or saying such as: “He who is good to others will be happy.” But this is not true. It is a lie. The spectator, perhaps, is content. The spectator likes easy truths. But we are not there to please or pander to the spectator. We are here to tell the truth. Jerzy Grotowski
Away, and mock the time with fairest show: False face must hide what the false heart doth know. Shakespeare, Macbeth, 1.7
“My darling,” she said at last, are you sure you don’t mind being a mouse for the rest of your life?” “I don’t mind at all” I said. “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like as long as somebody loves you.” Roald Dahl, The Witches
C’est par le travail que la femme a conquis sa dignité d’être humain; mais ce fut une conquête singulièrement dure et lente. Simone de Beauvoir, Le deuxième sexe I
I shall always remember how the peacocks’ tails shimmered when the moon rose amongst the tall trees, and on the shady bank the emerging mermaids gleamed fresh and silvery amongst the rocks… Hermann Hesse, The Journey to the East
This woman could call upon the earth and the heavens to do her bidding. But she gave up her power to be human. Write this into your record, Judge—this Ondine was the most human human being that ever lived. She was human by choice. Jean Giraudoux, Ondine
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. Psalms 102:6
MACBETH Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, Raze out the written troubles of the brain And with some sweet oblivious antidote Cleanse the stuff’d bosom of that perilous stuff Which weighs upon the heart?
First Witch: When shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain? Second Witch: When the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won. Third Witch: That will be ere the set of sun. First Witch: Where’s the place? Second Witch: Upon the heath Third Witch: There to meet with Macbeth. Shakespeare, Macbeth, 1.1
