Quotes by Dodie Smith

“Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.”

“The family, that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor in our innermost hearts never quite wish to.”

“I have found that sitting in a place where you have never sat before can be inspiring.”

Perhaps watching someone you love suffer can teach you even more than suffering yourself can.

I am a restlessness inside a stillness inside a restlessness.

I only want to write. And theres no college for that except life.

Truthfulness so often goes with ruthlessness.

I suddenly knew that religion, God - something beyond everyday life - was there to be found, provided one is really willing. And I saw that though what I felt in the church was only imagination, it was a step on the way; because imagination itself can be a kind of willingness - a pretense that things are real, due to ones longing for them. It struck me that this was somehow tied up with what the Vicar said about religion being an extension of art - and then I had a glimpse of how religion can really cure you of sorrow; somehow make use of it, turn it to beauty, just as art can make sad things beautiful. I found myself saying: Sacrifice is the secret - you have to sacrifice things for art and its the same with religion; and then the sacrifice turns out to be a gain. Then I got confused and I couldnt hold on to what I meant - until Miss Blossom remarked: Nonsense, duckie - its prefectly simple. You lose yourself in something beyond yourself and its a lovely rest.I saw that, all right. Then I thought: But thats how Miss Marcy cured her sorrow, too - only she lost herself in other people instead of in religion. Which way of life was best - hers or the Vicars? I decided that he loves God and merely likes the villagers, whereas she loves the villagers and merely likes God - and then I suddenly wondered if I could combine both ways, love God and my neighbor equally. Was I really willing to?

Just to be in love seemed the most blissful luxury I had ever known. The thought came to me that perhaps it is the loving that counts, not the being loved in return - that perhaps true loving can never know anything but true happiness.

Thinking of death--strange, beautiful, terrible and a long way off--made me feel happier than ever.

Perhaps if I make myself write I shall find out what is wrong with me.

I think it [religion] is an art, the greatest one; an extension of the communion all the other arts attempt.

Certain unique books seem to be without forerunners or successors as far as their authors are concerned. Even though they may profoundly influence the work of other writers, for their creator theyre complete, not leading anywhere.

I like seeing people when they cant see me.

My God - its a green child! said the American. What is this place - the House of Usher?

Rose doesn’t like the flat country, but I always did – flat country seems to give the sky such a chance.

He stood staring into the wood for a minute, then said: What is it about the English countryside — why is the beauty so much more than visual? Why does it touch one so?He sounded faintly sad. Perhaps he finds beauty saddening — I do myself sometimes. Once when I was quite little I asked father why this was and he explained that it was due to our knowledge of beautys evanescence, which reminds us that we ourselves shall die. Then he said I was probably too young to understand him; but I understood perfectly.

...he talked quite naturally while we ate — about the difficulty of finding words to describe the luminous mist, and why one has the desire to describe beauty.Perhaps its an attempt to possess it, I said.Or be possessed by it; perhaps thats the same thing, really. I suppose its the complete identification with beauty ones seeking.The mist grew brighter and brighter.

In addition, I think religion has a chance of a look-in whenever the mind craves solace in music or poetry-- in any form of art at all. Personally, I think it is an art, the greatest one; an extension of the communication all the other arts attempt.

When I read a book, I put in all the imagination I can, so that it is almost like writing the book as well as reading it - or rather, it is like living it. It makes reading so much more exciting, but I dont suppose many people try to do it.