Letter XXIV (19 April 1848), ** Part II, Things and Thoughts of Europe, p. 326.
At Home And Abroad (1856)
Context: My friends write to urge my return the talk of our country as the land of the future. It is so, but that spirit which made it all it is of value in my eyes, which gave me all hope with which I can sympathize for that future, is more alive here at present than in America. My country is at present spoiled by prosperity, stupid with the lust of gain, soiled by crime in its willing perpetuation of slavery, shamed by an unjust war, noble sentiment much forgotten even by individuals, the aims of politicians selfish or petty, the literature frivolous and venal. In Europe, amid the teachings of adversity, a nobler spirit is struggling — a spirit which cheers and animates mine. I hear earnest words of pure faith and love. I see deeds of brotherhood. This is what makes my America. I do not deeply distrust my country. She is not dead, but in my time she sleepeth, and the spirits of our fathers flame no more, but lies hid beneath the ashes. It will not be so long; bodies cannot live when the soul gets too overgrown with gluttony and falsehood.
“It is with noble sentiments that bad literature gets written.”
C'est avec de beaux sentiments qu'on fait de la mauvaise littérature.
Letter to François Mauriac (1929)
Original
C'est avec de beaux sentiments qu'on fait de la mauvaise littérature.
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André Gide 74
French novelist and essayist 1869–1951Related quotes
George Gordon The Discipline of Letters (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1946) p. 88.
Criticism
“Today's literature: prescriptions written by patients.”
Half-Truths and One-And-A-Half Truths (1976)
"All Literature", from Anarchism Is Not Enough (London: Jonathan Cape, 1928)
Address to the Women's Canadian Club, Montreal, Quebec, March 26, 1958
Speaking Of Canada - (1959)
“Scarcely anything in literature is worth a damn except what is written between the lines.”
“When I read, it is not acted literature; but what I write is written acting.”
Half-Truths and One-And-A-Half Truths (1976)
“In living literature no person is a competent judge but of works written in his own language.”
Sketches of English Literature, Vol II, p. 36 http://books.google.com/books?id=V9AtAAAAYAAJ, as translated by Henry Colburn
Context: In living literature no person is a competent judge but of works written in his own language. I have expressed my opinion concerning a number of English writers; it is very possible that I may be mistaken, that my admiration and my censure may be equally misplaced, and that my conclusions may appear impertinent and ridiculous on the other side of the Channel.