Preface
1900s, Getting Married (1908)
Context: There is no subject on which more dangerous nonsense is talked and thought than marriage. If the mischief stopped at talking and thinking it would be bad enough; but it goes further, into disastrous anarchical action. Because our marriage law is inhuman and unreasonable to the point of downright abomination, the bolder and more rebellious spirits form illicit unions, defiantly sending cards round to their friends announcing what they have done. Young women come to me and ask me whether I think they ought to consent to marry the man they have decided to live with; and they are perplexed and astonished when I, who am supposed (heaven knows why!) to have the most advanced views attainable on the subject, urge them on no account to compromise themselves without the security of an authentic wedding ring.
"Quotes", Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays (1957), Mythical Phase: Symbol as Archetype
“Few campaigns are more dangerous than emotional calls for proscription rather than thought.”
"Integrity and Mr. Rifkin", p. 238
An Urchin in the Storm (1987)
When asked how the world had changed following the September 11, 2001 attacks
Has the world changed? http://books.guardian.co.uk/writersreflections/story/0,1367,567546,00.html, The Guardian (October 11, 2001)
“Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have her nonsense respected.”
Source: The Life, Letters and Writings of Charles Lamb
“Motives do not concern me; they are a dangerous subject with which to deal.”
Whelan v. Palmer (1888), L. J. Rep. (N. S.) 57 C. D. 788.
Source: Culture and Value (1980), p. 56e
