Mary Burchell > Quotes

“I concede that a bad romantic novel is embarrassing and indefensible. So is a bad so-called realistic novel. (And it is usually pretentious into the bargain which is insufferable.) But a good romantic novel is a heart-warming thing which strikes a responsive chord in those who are happy and offers a certain lifting of the spirits to those who are not.”
― Mary Burchell

“Dear child, there are few problems in life which kindness and common sense cannot make simple and manageable.”
― Mary Burchell, To Journey Together / I And My Heart / Windy Night, Rainy Morrow

“We can take no credit for our gifts. It's what we do with them that matters.”
― Mary Burchell, A Song Begins

“His inmost feelings remained a mystery still. Perhaps to himself, she thought, as much as to her. For could even he explain how it was that while he had terrified her at first with his arrogant anger, yet in the end it was his tenderness and gentleness which had soothed her? And she had lain quiet in his arms, tranquil and glad to be there, even though the after-sobs of the storm that had passed still shook her.”
― Mary Burchell, Wife to Christopher

“The perfect diamond has many facets. It's almost never that the same hand cuts them all.”
― Mary Burchell, A Song Begins

“Vicki knew then that if she had died that night his kiss would have followed her on and on into the spaces of eternity or wherever her soul might wander.”
― Mary Burchell, Wife to Christopher

“Even though I know Christopher can be hard and even cruel, it doesn’t matter. I can only remember the things that made him like that. I think I should always go on loving him whatever I found out about him. I think I shall love him even when I’m dead. Do you think that is silly?"

"No. It’s the only sort of love that’s worth having.”
― Mary Burchell, Wife to Christopher

“Even now she could scarcely bear to remember the aching tenderness of those moments when she had realised that if she was afraid of Christopher—she also loved him; that if he came with something of the terror of an avenger, he came with the glory of a lover too.”
― Mary Burchell, Wife to Christopher

“...his hand on hit sword because he knew he lay in enemy country.”
― Mary Burchell, Wife to Christopher

“First one is astonished at the things one learns with comparative ease. Then one is appalled by the things one doesn't know.”
― Mary Burchell, A Song Begins

“The miraculous is the least one must aim at.”
― Mary Burchell, A Song Begins

“The artist who cannot conquer difficulties is not going to be much of a success.”
― Mary Burchell, A Song Begins

“And there’s no need to be nasty about the beard. As I was telling Natalie, it’s a nice, well-groomed beard, not just a cover-up for immaturity or unwashedness or acne.”
― Mary Burchell, Elusive Harmony

“Do you know what I mean by a music-maker? It's something quite different from a performer, you know. Different from someone who goes on a platform to demonstrate -- often very successfully -- how accomplished he or she may be. It means someone who serves the great art of music with heart and soul, as well as fingers and brain. It takes everything... to make the real thing. Above all, there must be that desire to serve, rather than to impress. To be humble rather than easily satisfied with oneself.”
― Mary Burchell, Child of Music

“It's the odious, insufferable people who usually get to the top.”
― Mary Burchell, A Song Begins

“Industry without talent is useless. Talent without industry is exasperating. The two together can make an artist.”
― Mary Burchell, A Song Begins

“And above all don’t underestimate yourself. If you can’t display the goods in your own shop window no one else is going to do it for you.”
― Mary Burchell, On Wings of Song