Kingsley Amis: Quotes about people

Kingsley Amis was English novelist, poet, critic, teacher. Explore interesting quotes on people.

Kingsley Amis: 64 quotes2 likes

“A great British prime minister once remarked that the people were divided into two nations, the rich and the poor, and in effect that these had no knowledge of each other. One might say the same, perhaps, of those who live in parts of the world where segregation by races is practised. But these barriers, or the reasons for them, belong to a part of our history which is fortunately passing away. There is one barrier, however, which no amount of progress or tolerance or legislation can ever diminish. I'm talking about the barrier between the attractive and the unattractive.”

Kingsley Amis book Take a Girl Like You

Source: Take a Girl Like You (1960), Ch. 17

“Oh, I see,' said Jenny. 'But you're just getting these men [New Age gurus] to help you all feel better. I thought when you talked about helping people you meant other people. You know, like the blind.'
'Isn't everybody blind, in one way or another?' asked Wendy.”

Source: Difficulties with Girls (1988), Ch. 11, p. 158

“It was no wonder that people were so horrible when they started life as children.”

One Fat Englishman (1963)

“Nothing divided people more deeply than how they felt about cats.”

Source: Difficulties with Girls (1988), Ch. 19, p. 274

“You're still the same girl. What people do doesn't change their nature.'
She shook her head. […] 'What they do is their nature,' she said.”

Kingsley Amis book Take a Girl Like You

Patrick Standish and Jenny Bunn in Ch. 27
Take a Girl Like You (1960)

“It’s quite a problem for retired people, I do see. All of a sudden the evening starts starting after breakfast. All those hours with nothing to stay sober for. Or nothing to naturally stay sober during, if you see what I…We used to laugh at Malcolm’s dad, the way he used to mark up the wireless programs in Radio Times in different-coloured pencils. Never caught him listening to any of them but it was an hour taken care of.”

Kingsley Amis book The Old Devils

The Old Devils (1986)

“You're still the same girl. What people do doesn't change their nature.”

Kingsley Amis book Take a Girl Like You

She shook her head.[…] 'What they do is their nature,' she said.
Patrick Standish and Jenny Bunn in Ch. 27
Take a Girl Like You (1960)

“I was a shit when I met you. I still am in lots of ways. But because of you I've had to give up trying to be a dedicated, full-time shit. I couldn't make it, hadn't the strength of character. Which is a pity in a way, because when you fall back into the ranks of the failed shits or amateur shits or incidental shits you start taking on responsibility for other people.”

Ronnie Appleyard to Simon (Simona) Quick in Ch. 4, p. 254
I Want It Now (1968)