"I'm pretty much a product of my environment. Raised in a place where religion and superstition were a big part of life, I was taught to fear the unknown, which is essentially everything, isn't it?"
John Niven suggests that his upbringing in an area where religious and superstitious beliefs were prevalent instilled in him a deep-rooted fear of the unknown – a common theme as the unknown encompasses virtually everything that is not familiar or understood. This fear of the unknown is often used to control and manipulate people, particularly in conservative societies where tradition and doctrine are given undue importance. The quote hints at a universal human experience: the struggle to make sense of the vast and mysterious world we inhabit, and the role of societal conditioning in shaping our perspective and fears.
"We were all very young when we first became aware of our own mortality. I remember being seven or eight years old and thinking about death a lot."
This quote suggests that, at a relatively young age, individuals begin to grapple with the concept of their own mortality – an understanding of the inevitable end of life. This realization can spark profound reflection, prompting us to appreciate life more deeply, cherish relationships, and seek meaning in our existence.
"I think this is a good time to stop just before things get embarrassing."
This quote suggests that the speaker finds it appropriate to cease an activity, conversation, or any other interaction when it starts veering towards becoming awkward, uncomfortable, or humiliating. It implies a sense of self-awareness and consideration for others, as they prefer to preserve dignity rather than risk potential embarrassment.
"The world doesn't make sense, Ray. You've got to bend it until it makes sense."
This quote by John Niven suggests that our perception of reality is not always aligned with the way things actually are in the world. Instead, we have the power to adjust or "bend" our understanding and interpretation of events so they become more comprehensible and meaningful to us. It encourages a flexible and adaptive mindset, reminding us that we can shape our perspective and find meaning even when the world seems chaotic or confusing.
"Every single person on this planet is going to die. Yet we continue to build roads, write books, plant gardens, fall in love, and strive for a better tomorrow. All of that takes time, effort, faith, and energy. Why? Because the world matters. You matter."
This quote by John Niven emphasizes the human spirit's resilience and determination despite the inevitable reality of mortality. It highlights the value we place on life, as demonstrated through our actions such as building roads, writing books, planting gardens, falling in love, and striving for a better tomorrow. These activities require investment of time, effort, faith, and energy, indicating that we view the world and ourselves as worthwhile investments. In essence, this quote suggests that the act of living is a testament to our belief that life, and by extension, each individual person, holds inherent value and meaning.
You'll never even catch me doing that 'soft atheist' thing of very softly singing along or just mouthing the words, looking down at a hymn sheet every few seconds to check the words. To state the obvious, as an atheist, the hymn sheet is no use to me. So I just stand there, looking straight ahead or up at the ceiling, and do nothing.
- John Niven
I can still remember my mum (a voracious, if not discriminating, reader - I have seen everything from the sublime to the ridiculous by her bed, from Ian Rankin and Elmore Leonard to Barbara Cartland and James Patterson) taking me to get my library card when I was four and not yet at school.
- John Niven
It's tough being a dictator, but I've always thought it must be tougher being a hanger-on to a dictator. The late nights spent listening to his crazed ranting, the weary rictus grin from smiling at bad jokes, the draining knowledge that one misjudged comment could land you on the chopping block.
- John Niven
The mechanic could lift up the bonnet of the car and show me four dwarves strapped to a pair of tandems and tell me that the motor was actually dwarf-powered and that one of the little fellows had to be replaced, and I'd just be numbly writing out a cheque and scribbling 'new dwarf - car' on the stub.
- John Niven
It's one of the hardest things in the world to sustain a monogamous relationship for many years. People out there who have been with their partners for 30 years or more - I salute you. But it's just as hard to admit something isn't working and then try to manage a civilised separation as best as you can.
- John Niven
I was on the dole once. I loved it. It was only for a couple of years, when I was 20 or 21 and playing in a band. Back then, this was something young folk did - you got your rent paid, a little bit of money to live on, and you loafed around, wrote songs, rehearsed and dreamed of playing Wembley Stadium.
- John Niven
I had left the music industry at the end of 2001, after 10 years, and had spent three years writing every single day - producing two unpublished novels, one abandoned novel, and three unproduced screenplays. The word 'no' and I were on more than nodding terms. The word 'no' and I were talking about going on holiday together.
- John Niven
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