Idealism increases in direct proportion to one’s distance from the problem.

About John Galsworthy

John Galsworthy was an English novelist and playwright. He is best known for his trilogy of novels collectively called The Forsyte Saga, and two later trilogies, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter.

More about the author

More quotes from John Galsworthy

One’s eyes are what one is, one’s mouth is what one becomes.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

There is one rule for politicians all over the world: Don’t say in Power what you say in opposition; if you do, you only have to carry out what the other fellows have found impossible.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

Beginnings are always messy.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

Idealism increases in direct proportion to one’s distance from the problem.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

A man is the sum of his actions, of what he has done, of what he can do, Nothing else.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

Headlines twice the size of the events.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

Love has no age, no limit; and no death.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

If you do not think about your future, you cannot have one.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

Religion was nearly dead because there was no longer real belief in future life; but something was struggling to take its place – service – social service – the ants creed, the bees creed.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

When Man evolved Pity, he did a queer thing – deprived himself of the power of living life as it is without wishing it to become something different.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

He was afflicted by the thought that where Beauty was, nothing ever ran quite straight, which no doubt, was why so many people looked on it as immoral.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

A man of action forced into a state of thought is unhappy until he can get out of it.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)

The French cook; we open tins.

John Galsworthy

English novelist and playwright (1867-1933)