We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends.
Meaning of the quote
The quote means that English people are often quick to forgive those who have wronged them. This allows them to avoid having to truly like or care for their friends and family. In other words, it's easier to forgive someone who has hurt you than to put in the effort to truly connect with the people close to you.
About P. D. James
P.D. James was an acclaimed English novelist best known for her mystery novels featuring the detective Adam Dalgliesh. She rose to fame with her compelling crime fiction and was honored as a life peer by the British government.
More quotes from P. D. James
I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism.
English crime writer (1920-2014)
What the detective story is about is not murder but the restoration of order.
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We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends.
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God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest.
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What a child doesn’t receive he can seldom later give.
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Human kindness is like a defective tap, the first gush may be impressive but the stream soon dries up.
English crime writer (1920-2014)
It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.
English crime writer (1920-2014)
There comes a time when every scientist, even God, has to write off an experiment.
English crime writer (1920-2014)
In 1930s mysteries, all sorts of motives were credible which aren’t credible today, especially motives of preventing guilty sexual secrets from coming out. Nowadays, people sell their guilty sexual secrets.
English crime writer (1920-2014)