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Robert Smith Quotes

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About Robert Smith

Robert Smith Surtees (1805-1864), a prolific British novelist, was born on November 30, 1805, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He was the son of George Surtees, a banker, and Jane Hedley, an accomplished artist. Surtees's love for literature blossomed early as he spent his youth surrounded by books from his mother's extensive library. After attending school in Newcastle, Surtees went on to study law at Lincoln's Inn, London, but he never practiced it. Instead, he turned to journalism and contributed to various publications, including the "Newcastle Courant" and "The Athenaeum." In 1839, Surtees published his first novel, "Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities," a humorous collection of stories about a character named Jonas D. Jorrocks, which became incredibly popular. This work marked the beginning of Surtees's illustrious career as a writer. Surtees is best known for his works set in the countryside, particularly in his "Roger Dodsworth" series. These novels showcase his exceptional ability to capture the spirit and humor of rural life, earning him the nickname "The Laureate of the Shires." His most famous work from this series is "Handley Cross," published in 1840. Surtees's writing was heavily influenced by the works of Jane Austen, William Makepeace Thackeray, and Charles Dickens. However, Surtees's unique voice and style set him apart, combining humor, satire, and a deep affection for the English countryside. In his personal life, Surtees married twice: first to Maria Ann Hodgson in 1836 and then to Elizabeth Jane Ramsden in 1852. He passed away on February 4, 1864, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to be celebrated today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'd rather be human than a god."

This quote suggests that Robert Smith values being human over any divine or supernatural existence. It implies that he cherishes the human condition, including its flaws and complexities, more than any perceived perfection associated with deityhood. The statement may reflect an appreciation for the unique experiences, emotions, and connections only possible as a human, as well as the struggle and growth inherent in humanity. Ultimately, it underscores the preference for the richness of being human over the supposedly ideal but potentially empty existence of a god.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

The quote by Robert F. Smith, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans," highlights that often our carefully laid-out plans may not always unfold as expected due to unforeseen events or circumstances. It underscores the importance of being adaptable and open to change, as life can surprise us with unexpected turns, and those moments can sometimes bring about greater opportunities or personal growth. In essence, it encourages us to be mindful and present, embracing the journey rather than solely focusing on our destination.

"The biggest killer on the road most traveled is not the road."

The quote suggests that the greatest danger in a predictable or common path isn't the path itself, but rather the unforeseen challenges or obstacles that we may encounter along the way. It serves as a reminder to be aware of potential risks and to prepare for the unexpected in our journey through life.

"If I didn't write, I think I would go mad."

This quote by Robert Smith suggests a strong emotional connection to the act of writing, where it functions as an essential outlet for his thoughts and feelings. He implies that without the ability to put words on paper or screen, he might experience mental instability, suggesting both the therapeutic and creative importance of writing in his life.

"Art is a very, very powerful tool, probably the most powerful tool we have in the world today, because it can communicate without words."

The quote emphasizes the unique and profound impact of art, suggesting that it transcends the limitations of language to convey ideas and emotions across cultures, geographies, and time periods. Its power lies in its ability to speak universally, tapping into our shared human experiences and fostering empathy, understanding, and connection among people. In today's globalized world, art serves as a potent force for uniting diverse communities and sparking dialogue about critical social issues.

I've never regretted not having children. My mindset in that regard has been constant. I objected to being born, and I refuse to impose life on someone else.

- Robert Smith

Mindset, Been, Having, Impose

In some cases, I quite like irritating people who need to be irritated.

- Robert Smith

Need, Some, Like, Cases

I have never liked Morrissey, and I still don't. I think it's hilarious, actually, what things I've heard about him, what he's really like, and his public persona is so different. He's such an actor.

- Robert Smith

Him, I Think, About, Hilarious

Whatever I was doing, even when I was at school, I never repressed anything that I felt. I wasn't flamboyant; I was actually quite reticent most of the time. But if I felt I had to do something, I did it.

- Robert Smith

Doing, Had, Felt, Flamboyant

I'm in the strange position of the world drifting away from me, but you know what? I'm actually quite content with that. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I don't feel like, 'Oh God, I'm being left behind.'

- Robert Smith

Behind, Away, Oh God, Drifting

I became an adult in an extreme way. I was recently sorting some old photographs and I found another.

- Robert Smith

Some, Became, Recently, Adult

Irony is the recourse of the weak-minded wimp, I think. I hate bands that deliver their songs with knowing smiles on their faces, so that if those songs fall flat they can say 'Ah well, we never really meant it anyway.' It's so dishonest.

- Robert Smith

Smiles, I Think, Deliver, Dishonest

Apart from the fact that I've got a strange job, I do lead a fairly normal life. I do my own shopping. I don't feel constrained by who I am because of what I do; I often feel disappointed by my lack of ability. I get frustrated at myself, but I think everyone does.

- Robert Smith

Fact, I Think, Frustrated, Normal Life

I don't find the technology threatening. A lot of people my age, my generation, find it difficult to immerse themselves. But I would never preclude the idea of using any technology if I thought it suited the end result.

- Robert Smith

Thought, Idea, Threatening, Immerse

I'd rather spend my time looking at the sky than listening to Whitney Houston.

- Robert Smith

Sky, Listening, Rather, None

Nobody notices me. Nobody thinks I'm me. But then I look less like me than most of the people coming to our concerts.

- Robert Smith

Like, Less, Then, Notices

When punk came along, I found my generation's music. I grew up listening to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, 'cause that was what got played in the house. But when I first saw the Stranglers, I thought, 'This is it.'

- Robert Smith

Pink, Thought, Cause, Floyd

I would be more familiar with Janet Jackson than I was with the Teardrop Explodes or Joy Division, because I didn't want to listen to my competitors for fear of nicking ideas off them.

- Robert Smith

Ideas, Want, More, Joy Division

If you acquiesce to one interview, there's always another waiting in the wings. Also if you're interviewed repeatedly, you just start repeating yourself. I don't like to do that.

- Robert Smith

Waiting, Always, Repeatedly, Interview

It's really easy to slide into a depression fueled by the pointlessness of existence.

- Robert Smith

Depression, Existence, Slide

For a period in the '90s, I felt that the Cure was massively undervalued. But there has been a paradigm shift. There's a bunch of newer bands coming up who've grown up listening to the Cure and don't understand that you're not supposed to like us.

- Robert Smith

Been, Shift, Paradigm, Massively

There were only two times in my life when I've actually felt down about things and gotten myself into a full mental mess. One of the times was in 1982. I had a horrible time for a few months and felt pretty desperate. Then again in 1984, for various reasons, not all of them within my control. Since then, I just wander in and out of black moods.

- Robert Smith

My Life, Reasons, Gotten, Wander

If any of our songs ever did make it on the top ten, I'd disband the group immediately.

- Robert Smith

Immediately, Any, Our, Top Ten

The very first concert I ever went to on my own was actually Rory Gallagher. In a one-month period in 1973 or '74, I saw him, Thin Lizzy and the Rolling Stones. I wasn't really a big Rory Gallagher fan, but I thought his guitar playing was fabulous. But Thin Lizzy, they were fabulous.

- Robert Smith

Thought, Big, Very, Guitar Playing

I hardly ever listen to any of our old stuff now. Once the songs have been recorded and put on to vinyl they become someone else's entertainment, not mine.

- Robert Smith

Entertainment, Been, Mine, Hardly

Perhaps not as badly applied and not as obvious, but for thousands of years, people have worn makeup on stage.

- Robert Smith

Makeup, Perhaps, Badly, Thousands Of Years

If I put a value on my music, and no one's prepared to pay that, then more fool me, but the idea that the value is created by the consumer is an idiot plan; it can't work.

- Robert Smith

Idiot, More, Prepared, Consumer

I look thuggish when I shave my head and wear big boots. I walk into a newsagent and people think I'm going to jump the counter.

- Robert Smith

Think, Big, Going, Boots

I get a much more extreme reaction when I have my hair really short. I look thuggish when I shave my head and wear big boots. I walk into a newsagent and people think I'm going to jump the counter. It's a much more extreme reaction.

- Robert Smith

Big, Head, Wear, Boots

I don't want The Cure to fizzle out doing 45-minute shows of greatest hits. That would be awful for our legacy.

- Robert Smith

Legacy, Doing, Want, Greatest Hits

People think it's funny that I enjoy dreaming so much. I just use it as a form of entertainment. It's very private. I don't see my dreams as separate. I mean, half the time I'm wandering around dreaming anyway.

- Robert Smith

Private, Very, Half, Half The Time

You put on eyeliner, and people start screaming at you. How strange, and how marvellous.

- Robert Smith

People, Start, How, Marvellous

It's only people that aren't goths that think the Cure are a goth band.

- Robert Smith

Think, Only, Cure, Goth

Whenever I'm home, I haven't got any makeup on. But even in the studio, before I do vocals, I put makeup on.

- Robert Smith

Makeup, Studio, Before, Vocals

My earliest memories are sitting on the beach at Blackpool, and I know that if I went back, it would be horrible. I know what Blackpool's like - it's nothing like I imagined it was as a child.

- Robert Smith

Nothing, Back, Like, Sitting

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