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Cyril Connolly Quotes

Powerful Cyril Connolly for Daily Growth

About Cyril Connolly

Cyril Connolly (1903-1974) was a British author, critic, and essayist, renowned for his wit, intellect, and poetic prose. Born on June 24, 1903, in London to an upper-middle-class family, Connolly's early life was marked by privilege but also emotional turmoil, as he struggled with the expectations placed upon him. Educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, Connolly's literary journey began in earnest during his time at university, where he became friends with future luminaries such as Stephen Spender and W.H. Auden. This circle would later form part of the influential Bloomsbury Group. In 1926, Connolly founded the literary magazine "Horizon," which published works by T.S. Eliot, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, and many others. However, the magazine's financial struggles led to its demise in 1940. Despite these challenges, it cemented Connolly's reputation as a leading critic and tastemaker. One of his most famous works is "The Unquiet Grave" (1944), a semi-autobiographical account of his search for spiritual fulfillment in the face of emotional emptiness. The book contains the well-known quote, "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self." Another notable work is "Enemies of Promise" (1938), a critique of modern English education and an exploration of how societal pressures can stifle artistic creativity. The book includes the now-famous quote, "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self." Connolly's influence extends beyond his written works. His collection of aphorisms, "The White Peak" (1948), has been described as a "literary treasure" and continues to inspire readers today. Despite personal struggles with alcoholism, Connolly remained a prominent figure in British literary circles until his death on December 16, 1974.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A man's chief duty is to think for himself."

The quote by Cyril Connolly, "A man's chief duty is to think for himself," emphasizes personal autonomy, intellectual curiosity, and individuality. It encourages each person to cultivate their own thoughts, opinions, and perspectives rather than blindly following the beliefs or ideas of others. By developing one's critical thinking skills and encouraging independent thought, we can foster a more enlightened society where individuals contribute unique insights and engage in productive discourse. In essence, this quote encourages us to be self-reliant thinkers, which is essential for personal growth, self-fulfillment, and meaningful participation in the broader world.

"Between action and dream within lies reality."

This quote by Cyril Connolly suggests that reality is found in the intersection between our aspirations (dreams) and our actions to achieve those aspirations. In other words, dreams without action remain unfulfilled, while pure action without a dream lacks direction or purpose. Reality, therefore, is the balanced interplay of both elements.

"The only discipline that lasts is self-discipline."

This quote emphasizes the enduring nature of self-discipline. It suggests that personal self-control, rather than external coercion or influence, yields lasting results in our lives. Self-discipline empowers individuals to develop their character, reach their goals, and maintain a fulfilling lifestyle consistently. It's an essential skill for growth and success, as it fosters resilience, focus, and self-reliance. The quote reminds us that true discipline arises from within and remains effective throughout one's life journey.

"We cannot expect to achieve health and wisdom by continuing to stress the body and the mind."

This quote suggests that seeking physical or mental wellness through excessive strain or pressure is counterproductive, as it ultimately leads to further distress rather than promoting health and wisdom. Instead, a balanced approach to life, allowing for rest and relaxation alongside effort and learning, is essential for achieving true holistic well-being.

"The more real you become, the more unreal the world appears."

This quote suggests that as we delve deeper into understanding our true selves, becoming more authentic and self-aware, the external world may seem increasingly surreal or detached from our personal reality. It underscores the subjective nature of perception and experience, implying that our internal growth can challenge or alter our interpretation of the external world.

Civilization is maintained by a very few people in a small number of places and we need only some bombs and a few prisons to blot it out altogether.

- Cyril Connolly

Small, Some, Very, Blot

A lazy person, whatever the talents with which he set out, will have condemned himself to second-hand thoughts and to second-rate friends.

- Cyril Connolly

Thoughts, Set, Which, Second-Rate

For what is liberty but the unhampered translation of will into act?

- Cyril Connolly

Liberty, Will, Act, Translation

Slums may well be breeding grounds of crime, but middle class suburbs are incubators of apathy and delirium.

- Cyril Connolly

Middle, May, Suburbs, Slums

Imprisoned in every fat man a thin man is wildly signaling to be let out.

- Cyril Connolly

Man, Fat, Imprisoned, Fat Man

As repressed sadists are supposed to become policemen or butchers so those with an irrational fear of life become publishers.

- Cyril Connolly

Life, Repressed, Supposed, Policemen

The civilized are those who get more out of life than the uncivilized, and for this we are not likely to be forgiven.

- Cyril Connolly

Forgiven, Likely, Civilized, Uncivilized

Words today are like the shells and rope of seaweed which a child brings home glistening from the beach and which in an hour have lost their luster.

- Cyril Connolly

Shells, Like, Which, Seaweed

There is no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall.

- Cyril Connolly

Art, More, Than, Good Art

All charming people have something to conceal, usually their total dependence on the appreciation of others.

- Cyril Connolly

Charming, Conceal, Total, Dependence

Literature is the art of writing something that will be read twice; journalism what will be grasped at once.

- Cyril Connolly

Art, Literature, Twice, Journalism

The dread of lonliness is greater than the fear of bondage, so we get married.

- Cyril Connolly

Bondage, Get, Than, Get Married

The artist one day falls through a hole in the brambles, and from that moment he is following the dark rapids of an underground river which may sometimes flow so near to the surface that the laughing picnic parties are heard above.

- Cyril Connolly

Art, Artist, Through, Flow

A great writer creates a world of his own and his readers are proud to live in it. A lesser writer may entice them in for a moment, but soon he will watch them filing out.

- Cyril Connolly

Proud, Will, May, Lesser

Our memories are card indexes consulted and then returned in disorder by authorities whom we do not control.

- Cyril Connolly

Memories, Disorder, Whom, Card

Purity engenders Wisdom, Passion avarice, and Ignorance folly, infatuation and darkness.

- Cyril Connolly

Ignorance, Folly, Avarice, Infatuation

The worst vice of the solitary is the worship of his food.

- Cyril Connolly

Food, Vice, His, Worship

A best-seller is the golden touch of mediocre talent.

- Cyril Connolly

Talent, Golden, Mediocre, Best-Seller

Classical and romantic: private language of a family quarrel, a dead dispute over the distribution of emphasis between man and nature.

- Cyril Connolly

Over, Private, Dispute, Distribution

We must select the illusion which appeals to our temperament, and embrace it with passion, if we want to be happy.

- Cyril Connolly

Embrace, Which, Select, Appeals

The more books we read, the clearer it becomes that the true function of a writer is to produce a masterpiece and that no other task is of any consequence.

- Cyril Connolly

Other, Consequence, Read, Clearer

When we have ceased to love the stench of the human animal, either in others or in ourselves, then are we condemned to misery, and clear thinking can begin.

- Cyril Connolly

Love, Clear, Misery, Condemned

No one over thirty-five is worth meeting who has not something to teach us, - something more than we could learn for ourselves, from a book.

- Cyril Connolly

Learn, More, Over, Thirty-Five

Those of us who were brought up as Christians and have lost our faith have retained the sense of sin without the saving belief in redemption. This poisons our thought and so paralyses us in action.

- Cyril Connolly

Thought, Brought, Christians, Redemption

There are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what the neighbours will say.

- Cyril Connolly

Will, Themselves, Neighbours, Dare

Hate is the consequence of fear; we fear something before we hate it; a child who fears noises becomes a man who hates noise.

- Cyril Connolly

Fear, Before, Consequence, Noise

When young we are faithful to individuals, when older we grow loyal to situations and to types.

- Cyril Connolly

Grow, Young, Types, Situations

In the sex war, thoughtlessness is the weapon of the male, vindictiveness of the female.

- Cyril Connolly

Sex, Weapon, Vindictiveness, Female

The artist is a member of the leisured classes who cannot pay for his leisure.

- Cyril Connolly

Artist, His, Classes, Leisure

No taste is so acquired as that for someone else's quality of mind.

- Cyril Connolly

Mind, Someone, Else, Acquired

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