104 Quotes by Nevil Shute

There's no dignity, no decency, or health today for men that haven't got a job. All other things depend on work today.

If Ronnie Clarke knew about Brenda and myself I had probably told him a bit more, but I didn't really care. He was a very old friend now, and there are some things that a friend ought to know.

Some games are fun even when you lose. Even when you know you're going to lose before you start. It's fun just playing them.

I want to drink hard liquor, as you call it, before lunch. I've got a mouth like the bottom of the parrot's cage. You wouldn't want me to throw a screaming fit in front of all your officers.

I didn't wait to see her ship go off, because partings are stupid things and best got over quickly

it was so beautiful', he said. 'the Three Pagodas Pass must be one of the loveliest places in the world. you've got this broad valley with the river running down it, and the jungle forest, and the mountains....we used to sit by the river and watch the sun setting behind the mountains, sometimes, and say what a marvellous place it would be to come to for a holiday. however terrible a prison camp may be, it makes a difference if its beautiful.

People who spent the war in prison camps have written a lot of books about what a bad time they had, she said quietly, staring into the embers. they don't know what it was like, not being in a camp.

Without work men are utterly undone.

You cannot argue stupidity, you just have to accept it patiently as one of those things.