George Woodcock Quotes

Powerful George Woodcock for Daily Growth

About George Woodcock

George Woodcock (1912-1995), a prolific Canadian literary critic, poet, and philosopher, was born in London, England but found his intellectual home in British Columbia, Canada. Raised in an environment that nurtured his curiosity for ideas, he developed a keen interest in philosophy at an early age. At 16, Woodcock joined the Communist Party of Great Britain, and this political affiliation influenced much of his writing. In 1937, he moved to Canada to escape conscription into the British Army during World War II. He settled in Vancouver, where he became a naturalized citizen in 1945. Woodcock's career as an author spanned over five decades and encompassed various genres. As a poet, his works include "The Troubadour's Progress" (1947) and "Collected Poems" (1962). He also made significant contributions to literary criticism with books like "A Modern Literary Guide to London" (1950), "The Prose of the Revolution: The Romance of Words" (1951), and "Anatomy of Wonder: Folktales and the Origin of Stories" (1968). In the realm of philosophy, Woodcock authored influential texts such as "Karl Marx" (1951) and "Dialectical Materialism" (1964). His philosophical perspective was deeply informed by his Marxist beliefs, but he was also known for his open-mindedness and ability to engage with a wide range of ideas. Woodcock's influence extended beyond his written works. He served as editor of "Taking the Risk: Essays on Literature, Art, and Revolution" (1954), the first anthology of Canadian literature published in Canada. Additionally, he played key roles in establishing the Vancouver Writers' Workshop and the League for Socialist Action. Despite his political activism, Woodcock was a firm believer in the power of art to transcend ideological boundaries. His work continues to be appreciated for its depth, insight, and enduring relevance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Revolution is but thought carried into action."

George Woodcock's quote, "Revolution is but thought carried into action," emphasizes that revolutions, or significant changes in society, are not mere spontaneous events, but rather the result of deep-seated thoughts, ideas, and desires that have finally been translated into concrete actions. It suggests that change requires more than just discontentment or wishful thinking; it necessitates a transformation of thought into purposeful action aimed at bringing about desired social, political, or economic change.

"Anarchism begins in the feeling of permanent indignation."

George Woodcock's quote suggests that anarchism is fueled by a persistent, deep-seated sense of outrage or dissatisfaction. This sentiment arises from a belief that current societal structures are unjust, oppressive, or flawed in some way. Anarchists advocate for radical change to create more equal and free societies, thus their indignation drives them to seek systemic reforms.

"The anarchist, though he believes in freedom for all, does not believe in a free-for-all."

George Woodcock's quote emphasizes that while an anarchist advocates for individual freedom, they do not condone a chaotic or lawless society. Instead, they envision a society where the basic needs of all individuals are met and everyone lives harmoniously without coercive authority or hierarchies, ensuring that each person's freedom does not infringe upon others'.

"A society that allows violence to beget only more violence is a society teetering on the brink of chaos."

This quote underscores the dangers of a cycle of violence, where violent actions are met with further violence. In such a scenario, the stability and order (chaos' antithesis) within a society is compromised. The quote suggests that a society which fails to address and halt this vicious cycle risks descending into chaos, as the escalating violence disrupts peace, justice, and social harmony. It calls for proactive measures to curb violence, promote dialogue, and restore balance in the community.

"Anarchy means the abolition of coercive authority."

George Woodcock's quote "Anarchy means the abolition of coercive authority" suggests a political philosophy that advocates for a society without any form of compulsory government or control by force. In such a system, individuals are free to act according to their own will and consent, as long as they do not infringe upon the freedom of others. Essentially, anarchy seeks to replace hierarchical power structures with voluntary associations based on mutual aid and respect for individual autonomy.

I was editing Canadian Literature. I didn't want to let Canadian Literature go, so they reached a nice compromise by which I received half a professor's salary.

- George Woodcock

Want, Which, Half, Compromise

I was allowed to wander where I could. Here is a case in which you search for your independence and allow something creative to come out of that.

- George Woodcock

Here, Allow, Which, Wander

I like to move among painters, mathematicians, psychologists, people who can tell me something.

- George Woodcock

Like, Move, Among, Mathematicians

I was unpopular at school just because I was an intellectual. I always answered all the questions off the top of my head but they nevertheless resented because of that.

- George Woodcock

Always, Nevertheless, Unpopular

It even has the same phraseology as the English orders of knighthood, companions and this sort of thing.

- George Woodcock

Same, Even, Companions, Orders

When you act dramatically in that way it often has a consequence that is very negative.

- George Woodcock

Negative, Very, Consequence, Dramatically

They decided that unpaid leave could only be granted through the decision of a council that consisted almost entirely of scientists who couldn't understand my reasons for wanting to go so. They said no, no unpaid. So I immediately resigned.

- George Woodcock

Through, Wanting, Reasons, Unpaid

I suppose I'm led to do so by the fact of what happened to my contemporaries - people whom I've admired, people who I thought were ten times better than me when I was in my twenties and early thirties. I may have been right.

- George Woodcock

Thought, Fact, Been, Ten Times

It doesn't really mean a great deal of difference to a life. You live as you wish to do and if a job is oppressing, you leave it. I've done it on several occasions.

- George Woodcock

Great, Deal, Several, Great Deal

Now I am a writer who can command fairly good payments from magazines with large circulations, I very often refuse to write for them and still write sometimes for small magazines for nothing.

- George Woodcock

Small, Very, Still, Command

Orwell was the sort of man who was full of grievances. He was very loyal. Once he got to know you, he was extremely loyal. He hated passionately and irrationally.

- George Woodcock

Loyal, Very, Passionately, Hated

What I'm going to be given I gather is not the key to the city, which in many cities is the case. It's the freedom medal, and for me freedom has always been associated traditionally within the city.

- George Woodcock

Always, Which, Given, Gather

I believe in that connection between freedom and the city.

- George Woodcock

Freedom, City, Believe, Connection

You can be bound by physical things, as I am by certain sicknesses, but nevertheless you can still be free to recognize that all initiatives really come from yourself if you don't depend upon structures of government or structures of any kind.

- George Woodcock

Depend, Things, Nevertheless, Initiatives

My split with the university was over the fact that I had become involved with helping Tibetans in India.

- George Woodcock

Fact, Over, Involved, Split

My early wounds were the English school system among other things. It wasn't merely the discipline, it was the ways in which boys got what was called the school spirit.

- George Woodcock

Other, Wounds, Which, Merely

I don't believe in kicking away ladders. By that, I mean the ladders by which I ascended as a young writer, small magazines that didn't pay anything, and that sort of thing.

- George Woodcock

Small, Away, Which, Magazines

I began even as a boy to realize how wide the world can be for a man of free intelligence.

- George Woodcock

World, How, Began, Wide

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