FastSaying

Yes, of course, there's something fishy about describing people's feelings. You try hard to be accurate, but as soon as you start to define such and such a feeling, language lets you down. It's really a machine for making falsehoods. When we really speak the truth, words are insufficient. Almost everything except things like "pass the gravy" is a lie of a sort. And that being the case, I shall shut up. Oh, and... pass the gravy.

Iris Murdoch

Iris Murdoch

language

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We defend ourself with descriptions and tame the world by generalizing.
— Iris Murdoch
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Moralistic is not moral. And as for truth - well, it's like brown - it's not in the spectrum. Truth is so generic.
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The absolute yearning of one human body for another particular body and its indifference to substitutes is one of life's major mysteries.
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No love is entirely without worth, even when the frivolous calls to the frivolous and the base to the base.
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While the light remains,' said Carde, speaking slowly in his high deliberate voice, 'only do not forsake the joy of life. If you shall have given all your kisses, you will give too few. And as leaves fall from withered wreaths which you may see spread upon the cups and floating there, so for us, who now as lovers hope for so much, perhaps tomorrow's day will close the doom.
— Iris Murdoch
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