175 Quotes by Richard Adams

Now, Rowsby Woof was the man’s dog; and he was the most objectionable, malicious, disgusting brute that ever licked a man’s hand. He.

People who record birdsong generally do it very early-before six o’clock-if they can. Soon after that, the invasion of distant noise in most woodland becomes too constant and too loud.

Here is a boy who was waiting to be punished. But then, unexpectedly, he finds that his fault has been overlooked or forgiven and at once the world reappears in brilliant colors, full of delightful prospects. Here is a soldier who was waiting, with a heavy heart, to suffer and die in battle. But suddenly the luck has changed. There is news! The war is over and everyone bursts out singing! He will go home after all!

And at once he went on with his burden, as though afraid that he might already have said too much in this country where the past was sharp splinters embedded in men’s minds and an ill-judged word a false step in the dark.

Many human beings say that they enjoy the winter, but what they really enjoy is feeling proof against it. For them there is no winter food problem. They have fires and warm clothes. The winter cannot hurt them and therefore increases their sense of cleverness and security. For birds and animals, as for poor men, winter is another matter. Rabbits, like most wild animals, suffer hardship.

Rowf’s rump slid suddenly forward as smoothly as a turd from a healthy anus.

Hazel, watching, lent help here and there and encouraged the others.

Every length smells of rabbit – of that great, indestructible flood of Rabbitry in which each one is carried along, sure-footed and safe.

I don’t like straight lines: men make them.