Browse quotes by category
Thousands of quotes organised by category, author, and topic. Every entry comes with attribution and, where possible, a plain-language meaning—so you leave with an idea you can actually use, not just a phrase to copy.
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“There was another life that I might have had, but I am having this one.”
Meaning: Acceptance of one’s present reality instead of dwelling on missed possibilities. -
“The past is something that we can never entirely escape.”
Meaning: Our history shapes who we are, and it continues to influence our decisions and emotions. -
“Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing.”
Meaning: Excessive desire may reflect inner emptiness rather than fulfillment. -
“Dignity has to do crucially with your self-respect.”
Meaning: True dignity comes from valuing oneself and maintaining integrity. -
“We never know how far we can go until we try.”
Meaning: Human potential is often underestimated until tested. -
“Time can be the greatest healer or the greatest destroyer.”
Meaning: Time has the power to both mend emotional wounds and erode memories or relationships. -
“Our lives are not entirely our own.”
Meaning: Individual lives are shaped by society, relationships, and responsibilities. -
“Even the best of us must sometimes take comfort in illusions.”
Meaning: People often rely on comforting beliefs to cope with difficult realities. -
“If you can’t annoy somebody, there is little point in writing.”
Meaning: Amis suggests that writing should provoke thought or reaction rather than be bland or forgettable. -
“One of the best things about drink is that it makes you feel better when you are not drinking.”
Meaning: A humorous observation about how contrast enhances appreciation of sobriety. -
“A bad review is even less important than whether it is raining in Patagonia.”
Meaning: Criticism should not be taken too seriously as it has little real impact on life. -
“No pleasure is worth giving up for the sake of two more years in a geriatric ward.”
Meaning: Amis emphasizes enjoying life rather than sacrificing everything for longevity. -
“If you can’t write, you can always try journalism.”
Meaning: A sarcastic remark about the perceived difference between literary writing and journalism. -
“It is no use crying over spilt milk, because all the forces of the universe were bent on spilling it.”
Meaning: Regret is pointless because some events are beyond our control. -
“To be an artist is to fail, as no other dare fail.”
Meaning: Creative work involves constant risk and failure, which is part of the artistic journey. -
“Nothing can be so improving to a young writer as to see his work in print.”
Meaning: Publishing helps writers grow by exposing their work to real audiences. -
“People think I’m funny because I’m not.”
Meaning: Humor often comes unintentionally from personality rather than deliberate effort. -
“Good taste is better than bad taste, but bad taste is better than no taste.”
Meaning: Having any opinion or style is better than having none at all. -
“Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is all an opportunity for me to rise.”
Meaning: Kobe believed adversity is not a barrier but a chance to grow stronger and better. -
“The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win.”
Meaning: Persistence is key; quitting hands victory to others.