Quotes about down
page 18

“Warning: If you are insufferable, do not walk here. We shall eat you down to the marrow.”

Libba Bray A Great and Terrible Beauty

Source: A Great and Terrible Beauty

“You felt a deep sorrow, the kind of melancholy you feel when you're in a beautiful place and the sun is going down”

Thrity Umrigar book The Space Between Us

Source: The Space Between Us

Beauty, Feeling, Sun

“So the hours are pretty good then?' he resumed.
The Vogon stared down at him as sluggish thoughts moiled around in the murky depths.
Yeah,' he said, 'but now you come to mention it, most of the actual minutes are pretty lousy.”

Douglas Adams The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy pentalogy

Source: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

“I finally learned that it was all right to say something wasn’t working for me when it wasn’t working. The world doesn’t come crashing down when you speak the truth.”

Deb Caletti (1963) American writer

Source: The Secret Life of Prince Charming

Truth, World, Learning

“I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.”

Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American author and poet

Source: Poems

“He looked down and did something quite out of character for him: he took hold of Shmuel's tiny hand in his and squeezed it tightly.
"You're my best friend, Shmuel," he said. "My best friend for life.”

John Boyne (1971) Irish novelist, author of children's and youth fiction

Source: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Life

“If I pass out face down in this water, will you fish me out?"
"Will you promise to call me Your Majesty?"
"Hell no."
"Then I'll have to think about it.”

Ilona Andrews American husband-and-wife novelist duo

Source: Magic Breaks

Hell, Thinking, Fish, Water

“One should never write down or up to people, but out of yourself.”

Christopher Isherwood (1904–1986) English novelist

People

“Bow down, I am the emperor of dreams.”

Clark Ashton Smith (1893–1961) American author

Source: The Last Oblivion: Best Fantastic Poetry of Clark Ashton Smith

Dreams

“Added to their loveliness was a new mysterious suffering, perfectly silent, visible in the blue puffiness beneath their eyes or the way they would sometimes stop in mid-stride, look down, and shake their heads as though disagreeing with life.”

Jeffrey Eugenides book The Virgin Suicides

Source: The Virgin Suicides

Life, Way, Suffering

“You destroy buildings, fight monsters openly in the streets of the city, work with the police, show up in newspapers, advertise in the phone book, and ride zombie dinosaurs down Michigan Avenue, and think that you work in the shadows? Be reasonable.”

Jim Butcher book Skin Game

Source: Skin Game

Books, Thinking, Fight

“Some men go a lifetime and never have their kid blow up a car, but I have a daughter who's knocked off three cars and burned down a funeral home. Maybe that's some kind of record.”

Janet Evanovich Four to Score

Source: Four to Score

Men, Cars, Home, Daughters

“When pain brings you down, don't be silly, don't close your eyes and cry, you just might be in the best position to see the sun shine.”

Alanis Morissette (1974) Canadian-American singer-songwriter

Pain, Sun, Cry

“Birthdays are ghost bounty hunters that track you down to ask, "Que pasa, baby?”

Jim Harrison (1937–2016) American novelist, poet, essayist

Birthday, Baby

“Dean's California--wild, sweaty, important, the land of lonely and exiled and eccentric lovers come to forgather like birds, and the land where everybody somehow looked like broken-down, handsome, decadent movie actors.”

Jack Kerouac book On the Road

Source: On the Road

Lovers, Bird

“The measure of mindfulness, the touchstone for sanity in this society, is our level of productivity, our attention to responsibility, our ability to plain and simple hold down a job.”

Elizabeth Wurtzel book Prozac Nation

Source: Prozac Nation

“The thing about plummetting downhill at fifty miles an hour on a snack platter - if you realize it's a bad idea when you're halfway down, it's too late.”

Rick Riordan book The Son of Neptune

Source: The Son of Neptune

Idea

“Yes," I said "You were saved by a girl. Horrible, isn't it?"
He slid out and looked down at my bare legs. "Not just a girl, but a half-naked one. Now that's hot. If I'm still unconscious, don't wake me, okay?”

Kelley Armstrong (1968) Canadian writer

Source: The Calling

Girl

“I thought you were dead."
Magnus smiled crookedly. "What, from that scratch?" He glanced down at the reddening jacket in Alec's hand. "Okay, a deep scratch. Like, from a really, really big cat.”

Cassandra Clare The City of Lost Souls

Source: City of Lost Souls

Smile, Cats, Dead

“Truth can break the gates down, truth can howl in the street; unless truth is pleasing, personable and easy to like, she is condemned to stay whimpering at the back door.”

Hilary Mantel Bring Up the Bodies

Source: Bring Up the Bodies

Truth, Personality

“I knit the afternoon away. I knit reasons for Elijah to come back. I knit apologies for Emma. I knit angry knots and slipped stitches for every mistake I ever made, and I knit wet, swollen stitches that look awful. I knit the sun down.”

Laurie Halse Anderson Wintergirls

Source: Wintergirls

Sun

“Lord, if what I'm doing is wrong, then by all means strike me down. Otherwise set me free.”

Neal Shusterman (1962) American novelist

Source: UnWholly

“Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will…”

George Lucas (1944) American film producer

“I gather that he nearly knocked you down, damaged your property, and generally made a nuisance of himself, and that you instantly concluded he must be some relation to me.”

Dorothy L. Sayers book Gaudy Night

Source: Gaudy Night

“Persistence wears down resistance.”

William J. Federer (1957) American historian

Source: Change to Chains-The 6,000 Year Quest for Control -Volume I-Rise of the Republic

“The walls of the educational system must come down. Education should not be a privilege, so the children of those who have money can study.”

Ernesto Che Guevara (1928–1967) Argentine Marxist revolutionary

Speech at the University of Las Villas (1959)
Source: Che Guevara Talks to Young People
Context: The walls of the educational system must come down. Education should not be a privilege, so the children of those who have money can study. Education should be the daily bread of the people of Cuba.

Money, Children, Education, Study

“A gentle breeze catches in the branches then and I hear it, soft and low, a murmured prayer--Gem-ma, Gem-ma--and then the leaves bend down and trail delicate fingers across my cold cheeks.”

Libba Bray book The Sweet Far Thing

Source: The Sweet Far Thing

“Ten days after the war ended, my sister Laura drove a car off a bridge. The bridge was being repaired: she went right through the Danger sign. The car fell a hundred feet into the ravine, smashing through the treetops feathery with new leaves, then burst into flames and rolled down into the shallow creek at the bottom. Chunks of the bridge fell on top of it. Nothing much was left but charred smithereens.”

Margaret Atwood book The Blind Assassin

Source: The Blind Assassin (2000) first lines

War, Cars, Sister

“For a moment, staring down and realizing what I'd just done, I wanted to throw myself in after him, because surely there was no way I could go on living now.”

Richelle Mead Blood Promise

Source: Blood Promise

Way

“We are tied down to a language which makes up in obscurity what it lacks in style.”

Tom Stoppard (1937) British playwright

Source: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

“I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.”

Bob Newhart (1929) American stand-up comedian and actor

People, Music, Country

“Nobody's perfect. We're all just one step up from the beasts and one step down from the angels.”

Jeannette Walls book Half Broke Horses

Source: Half Broke Horses

Angels, Perfection

“If there were an international butt competition, Eric would win, hands down—or cheeks up.”

Charlaine Harris book Dead to the World

Source: Dead to the World

“Slow down. Stop trying to do everything now, now, now. Hold up the people behind you for all you care, feel them kicking at your heels but maintain your pace. Don't let anybody dictate your speed.”

Cecelia Ahern book Thanks for the Memories

Source: Thanks for the Memories

People, Feeling, Speed

“I have suffered two grave accidents in my life, one in which a streetcar knocked me down… The other accident is Diego.”

Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) Mexican painter

Quote in Imagen de Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund in Novedades (Mexico City) (10 June 1951)
1946 - 1953

Life, Suffering

“So that was the way. No fair play. Once down, that was the end of you.”

Jack London book Call of the Wild

Source: The Call of the Wild

Way

“Every one of a hundred thousand cities around the world had its own special sunset and it was worth going there, just once, if only to see the sun go down.”

Ryū Murakami book Coin Locker Babies

Source: Coin Locker Babies (1980)

World, Sun

“It's so dark," she said lamely.

"You want me to hold your hand?"

Clary put both her hands behind her back like a small child.

"Don't talk down to me."

"Well, I could hardly talk up to you. You're too short.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Bones

Source: City of Bones

“It's strange, but when it comes right down to it I never do fall apart--even when I'm sure I will.”

Judy Blume (1938) American children's writer

Source: Forever . . .

“Anthony looked down at his evil clutches -- hands, he reminded himself, hands -- and grinned anew.”

Julia Quinn (1970) American novelist

Source: The Viscount Who Loved Me

Evil

“You could put your confusion and upset and worries into whatever book you were reading. You could sort of set them down in there, and you could come out with your head on a little straighter. I don't why stories worked that way, but they did.”

Deb Caletti (1963) American writer

Source: The Story of Us

Books, Way, Reading

“and sometimes I sit
down at my typewriter
and I think
not of someone
cause there isn't anyone
to think
about and i wonder
is it worth it”

Nikki Giovanni (1943) American writer and academic

Thinking

“But then, his revenge had been more direct. He’d hunted down the ones who’d killed his sister and nephew – those who’d survived his mother’s attack – and he’d made them wish they’d never been born with nerve endings.' (Acheron)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Acheron

Revenge, Sister

“Deep down? That sounds like settling to me. You shouldn't have to venture deep down in order to get to love.”

David Levithan book Every Day

Source: Every Day

Love

“Rae burned me. She has matches or something. Look, look…" Tori pulled down the collar of her T-shirt.
"Leave your cloths on, Tori," Simon said, raising his hands to his eyes. "Please.”

Kelley Armstrong book The Summoning

Source: The Summoning

Clothes

“I raged across the field, killing all before me. They ran when they saw me coming, and I chased them down, and killed them before they could take someone else's friend away from them.”

Ilona Andrews American husband-and-wife novelist duo

Source: Magic Burns

Rage

“I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him.”

Jane Austen book Emma

Source: Emma

“This is what you must be like. Grow wherever life puts you down.”

Ben Okri The Famished Road

Source: The Famished Road

Life

“I could fall in love with a cruel desert that kills without passion, a canyon full of scorpions, one thousand blinding arctic storms, a century sealed in a cave, a river of molten salt flowing down my throat. But never with you.”

Henry Rollins (1961) American singer-songwriter

Source: Solipsist

Love, Passion

“You never know when, and you never know who, but someday a stranger will burst through the door of your life and transform it utterly. The world will be turned upside down, and you will be happier for it.”

Cassandra Clare (1973) American author

Source: Nothing but Shadows

Life, World

“Too late, I found you can't wait to become perfect, you got to go out and fall down and get up with everybody else.”

Ray Bradbury book Something Wicked This Way Comes

Source: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Waiting, Perfection

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.”

Lena Horne (1917–2010) American singer, actress, civil rights activist and dancer

Variant: It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.

Way, Motivational, Deep, Success

“Writing's funny, it's like walking down a hall in the dark looking for the light switch, and suddenly you find it, flip it on, and then you discover the hallway you passed through is papered with the novel you've written.”

Jonathan Safran Foer (1977) Novelist

Light

“But the name Magnus Bane made him think of a towering sort of figure, with huge shoulders and formal purple warlock’s robes, calling down fire and lightning. Not Magnus himself, who was more of a cross between a panther and a demented elf.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Ashes

Source: City of Ashes

Thinking

“I will go in, go down, go back.”

Lauren Slater (1963) American psychologist

“God gives us the vision, then he takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way. Every vision will be made real if we will have patience.”

Oswald Chambers (1874–1917) British missionary

Source: My Utmost for His Highest: Traditional Updated Edition

God, Way, Patience

“Nobody's life is filled with perfect little moments. And if it were, they wouldn't be perfect little moments. They would just be normal. How would you ever know happiness if you never experience downs?”

Cecelia Ahern (1981) Irish novelist

Variant: Nobody's life is filled with perfect little moments. And if it were they wouldn't be perfect little moments. They would just be normal. ow would you know happiness if you never experienced downs?
Source: P.S. I Love You

Life, Happiness, Perfection

“Of course I saved you," she said. "I couldn't do without you." And because she was happy and flushed with magic, Holly leaned down and kissed Artemis, magic sparking around the contact like tiny fireworks.”

Eoin Colfer (1965) Irish author of children's books

Source: The Time Paradox

Happiness, Kiss

“In the English language, it all comes down to this: Twenty-six letters, when combined correctly, can create magic. Twenty -six letters form the foundation of a free, informed society.”

John Grogan (1958) American journalist

Source: Bad Dogs Have More Fun: Selected Writings on Family, Animals, and Life from The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Governments and entire planets are important, Threepio. But when you sift everything down, they're all just made of people.”

Timothy Zahn Heir to the Empire

Source: Heir to the Empire

People

“When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?”

William Blake Songs of Innocence and of Experience

St. 5
1790s, The Tyger (1794)
Source: Songs of Innocence and of Experience

Smile, Star, Tear

“Suddenly this is all too hard. I am tired of putting up walls. I want someone with the strength - and the honesty - to break them down.”

Jodi Picoult (1966) Author

Source: Vanishing Acts

“Do not let the bastards grind you down.”
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.

Margaret Atwood book The Handmaid's Tale

Variant: Do not let the bastards grind you down.
Source: The Handmaid’s Tale (1985), Chapter 9 (p. 52)
Source: The Handmaid's Tale

“He rose to his feet and padded down the last few steps silently, came up behind Kim, and leaned over her to say, “I vant to drink your blood” in a heavy, fake Dracula accent. She shrieked, flailed, and a zombie ate her brains on-screen."!”

Rachel Caine (1962) American writer

Source: Fade Out

Drink

“He'd woken up the next day in the city hospital with Magnus Bane staring down at him with an odd expression--it could have been deep concern or merely curiosity, it was hard to tell with Magnus.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Glass

Source: City of Glass

“Your hair looks funny," Lief said, as soon as the Ugloids left. "It stands straight up!"
No," said Nick, intensely irritated, "It's hanging straight down."
Lief just gave him an upside-down shrug. "Up is down in China and you're part-Chinese.”

Neal Shusterman book Everlost

Source: Everlost

Parting

“He so did not sit down and have a proper talk with her. I know it. He probably sent her a brief text, saying, Over. Sam.”

Sophie Kinsella book I've Got Your Number

Source: I've Got Your Number

“Literature can remind us that not all life is already written down: there are still so many stories to be told.”

Colum McCann book Let the Great World Spin

Source: Let the Great World Spin

Life, Literature

“Bessie?” I looked down at the bull serpent. “But… he’s too cute. He couldn’t destroy the world.”
-Percy Jackson”

Rick Riordan book The Titan's Curse

Source: The Titan's Curse

World

“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything good.”

William Faulkner (1897–1962) American writer

Way, Chance

“down with hell and heaven and all the religious fuss
infinity pleased our parents
one inch looks good to us”

E.E. Cummings (1894–1962) American poet

Hell, Parent

“If it comes down to a choice between being unloved and being vulnerable and sensitive and emotional, then you can just keep your love.”

Chuck Palahniuk book Choke

Source: Choke

Love

“If we're all going to hell in a handbasket, we might as well make it a party on the way down”

James St. James (1966) American writer

Source: Party Monster: A Fabulous But True Tale of Murder in Clubland

Way, Hell

“AMANDA: I think very few people are completely normal really, deep down in their private lives.”

Noel Coward (1899–1973) English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer

Source: Private Lives an Intimate Comedy in Three Acts

People, Thinking

“The man who believes that the secrets of the world are forever hidden lives in mystery and fear. Superstition will drag him down.”

Cormac McCarthy (1933) American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter

Blood Meridian (1985)
Source: Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West
Context: The judge tilted his great head. The man who believes that the secrets of this world are forever hidden lives in mystery and fear. Superstition will drag him down. The rain will erode the deeds of his life. But that man who sets himself the task of singling out the thread of order from the tapestry will by the decision alone have taken charge of the world and it is only by such taking charge that he will effect a way to dictate the terms of his own fate.

Secret, World, Fear

“It's all very romantic," Gabriel said, and then frowned. "Or it would be, if my brother could get a word out without sounding like a choking frog. I fear he will not go down in history as one of the world's greatest wooers of women.”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Princess

Source: Clockwork Princess

Women, World, Fear, History