76 Quotes by Ivy Compton-Burnett

Appearances are not held to be a clue to the truth,' said his cousin. 'But we seem to have no other.

Many people misjudge the permanent effect of sorrow, and their capacity to live in the past.

There is danger in courage. Cowardice is a power for good. We hardly know what it prevents.

A person who can really be called an unselfish person, has no place in life.

As regards plot I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots. And as I think a plot desirable and almost necessary, I have this extra grudge against life.

I never know why self-sacrifice is noble. Why is it better to sacrifice oneself than someone else?

Real life seems to have no plots.

There are different kinds of wrong. The people sinned against are not always the best.

Well, the English have no family feelings. That is, none of the kind you mean. They have them, and one of them is that relations must cause no expense.