Louis De Bernieres Quotes

Powerful Louis De Bernieres for Daily Growth

About Louis De Bernieres

**Louis de Bernières** is a British novelist and playwright, known for his richly textured, historically informed storytelling and a distinctive voice that blends humor, tragedy, and deep humanity. Born on July 24, 1954, in Dartmouth, Devon, England, he grew up in Cornwall and studied at University College London. His early career included work as a trawler deckhand, barman, and pottery factory worker before he found success as a writer. De Bernières' literary career began in earnest with the publication of his first novel, "The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts," in 1986. The book, set in a fictional South American country, was a satirical exploration of political power and corruption. However, it was his second novel, "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" (1994), that catapulted him to international fame. This poignant love story, set on the Greek island of Cephalonia during World War II, won the Commonwealth Writers Prize and was adapted into a successful film in 2001. Influenced by the rich cultural heritage of his Cornish upbringing, as well as his travels and experiences in Greece, Spain, and South America, de Bernières' work is characterized by its exploration of love, war, and identity across diverse cultures. His other notable works include "Birds Without Wings" (2004), a sweeping epic set against the backdrop of the Asia Minor catastrophe, and "The Dust That Falls from Dreams" (2010), a poignant exploration of life during World War I. De Bernières' contributions to literature have been recognized with numerous awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Whitbread Book of the Year Award. He has also been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize twice - in 1998 for "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" and in 2004 for "Birds Without Wings." His most recent novel, "Lady Scheherezade's Menagerie," was published in 2016. Despite his literary success, de Bernières remains a humble and engaging figure, known for his commitment to animal welfare and his love of music, particularly flamenco guitar.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The only truly meaningful and significant relationships are those in which we love the one who is our adversary as well as our friend."

This quote by Louis De Bernières emphasizes the importance of understanding, compassion, and respect for all individuals, regardless of disagreements or conflicts that may arise between them. In relationships, recognizing the humanity in everyone - including adversaries - fosters a deeper connection, promoting peace, empathy, and growth. It's not just about celebrating shared victories with friends but also learning from adversaries and striving for unity even amidst differences.


"The greatest thing to ever happen to us was that we met each other."

This quote expresses the profound impact that meeting someone significant can have on one's life. It suggests that the most remarkable event in the lives of the speakers (presumably a couple) is their encounter, as it has changed their existence fundamentally for the better. The sentiment underscores the transformative power of love and relationships, emphasizing their capacity to enrich our experiences and shape our identities.


"For this life is wont to be but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

This quote by Louis De Bernières suggests that life is transient and insignificant, much like a shadow or a fleeting performance on stage. It emphasizes the brevity and ephemeral nature of our existence, highlighting the importance of making the most of each moment while we can. The phrase "full of sound and fury" implies that life is filled with noise and passionate activity, but ultimately, these things may not have any lasting impact or meaning. In essence, the quote encourages us to find purpose and significance in our actions amidst the chaos and fleeting nature of life.


"War does many things to men; it educates the illiterate and imbues them with a sense of their own mortality; it makes them heroic or cowardly; it matures them or hardens them; it can make saints of them, or break them entirely."

This quote by Louis De Bernières illustrates the profound impact war has on individuals. It highlights that war serves as an educational crucible, often revealing one's inner strength and vulnerability. The experience can result in the development of courage or cowardice, maturity or hardening, and even the creation of saints or complete devastation. Essentially, war profoundly shapes a person, often leaving them forever changed.


"All human beings are born both free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." (This is not a direct quote from Louis de Bernières, but it's inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which he supported.)

This quote emphasizes that all human beings are inherently free, equal, and deserving of dignity and rights. The author suggests that these qualities are not granted or bestowed, but rather they are innate to every individual. He further proposes that the power of reason and conscience should guide our actions towards one another, fostering a spirit of brotherhood - a sense of unity and mutual respect, regardless of differences. This statement aligns with universal values and principles, such as those outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, encouraging a shared commitment to human dignity and equality worldwide.


Like many men, I am not ashamed to admit that my principal joys are domestic. I love cooking, and I love looking after my children. Indeed, the times that I have with them are the only ones when I feel unconditionally happy.

- Louis de Bernieres

Love, Happy, Feel, Indeed

An adversarial family law system raises the stakes unnecessarily high, exacerbates the antagonism of the couples concerned, and is directly responsible for making it impossible for couples who would otherwise have reconciled to do so.

- Louis de Bernieres

Law, Making, Otherwise, Reconciled

When you have children it completely shifts your focus; they become the most passionate love of your life.

- Louis de Bernieres

Love, Focus, Passionate, Shifts

So the news that divorced fathers are to be denied a legal right to a relationship with their children, in the long overdue review of family law published this week, fills me with horror and despair.

- Louis de Bernieres

Law, News, Fathers, Fills

The human heart likes a little disorder in its geometry.

- Louis de Bernieres

Human, Human Heart, Disorder, Geometry

In reality the world is as full of bad mothers as it is of bad fathers, and it is not the motherless children who become delinquent but the fatherless ones.

- Louis de Bernieres

Bad, Fatherless, Fathers, Delinquent

Family law is institutionally anti-male. I've been lobbying MPs, and I'm not going to give up campaigning for equality until I get equality.

- Louis de Bernieres

Law, Give, Been, Campaigning

What keeps me going is my children.

- Louis de Bernieres

Children, Me, Going, Keeps

People taking photographs of their meals are not critics; they are from the United States.

- Louis de Bernieres

Critics, United States, Photographs

The De Bernieres were very military. I broke the military tradition but I was terribly proud of my father being a soldier.

- Louis de Bernieres

Proud, Broke, Very, Tradition

Setting up a community and seeing what happens to it when the megalomaniacs get busy: that's my main preoccupation.

- Louis de Bernieres

Community, Seeing, Main, Setting

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.