Doris Lessing: What is a hero without love for mankind

I have compiled some of the most notable quotes of Doris Lessing the, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2007.

It would be best to read her classic romantic novels and short stories, such as "The Sweetest Dream".

A simple grateful thought turned heavenwards is the most perfect prayer.
~ Doris Lessing

And then, not expecting it, you become middle-aged and anonymous. No one notices you. You achieve a wonderful freedom.
~ Doris Lessing

Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so.
~ Doris Lessing

Borrowing is not much better than begging; just as lending with interest is not much better than stealing.
~ Doris Lessing

For the last third of life there remains only work. It alone is always stimulating, rejuvenating, exciting and satisfying.
~ Doris Lessing

I don't know much about creative writing programs. But they're not telling the truth if they don't teach, one, that writing is hard work, and, two, that you have to give up a great deal of life, your personal life, to be a writer.
~ Doris Lessing

If a fish is the movement of water embodied, given shape, then cat is a diagram and pattern of subtle air.
~ Doris Lessing

In the writing process, the more a story cooks, the better.
~ Doris Lessing

In university they don't tell you that the greater part of the law is learning to tolerate fools.
~ Doris Lessing

It is terrible to destroy a person's picture of himself in the interests of truth or some other abstraction.
~ Doris Lessing

It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as important.
~ Doris Lessing

Literature is analysis after the event.
~ Doris Lessing

Man, who is he? Too bad, to be the work of God: Too good for the work of chance!
~Doris Lessing

Pearls mean tears.
~ Doris Lessing

Pleasure resorts are like film stars and royalty... embarrassed by the figures they cut in the fantasies of people who have never met them.
~ Doris Lessing

Small things amuse small minds.
~ Doris Lessing

Some people obtain fame, others deserve it.
~ Doris Lessing

Space or science fiction has become a dialect for our time.
~ Doris Lessing

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way.
~ Doris Lessing

The great secret that all old people share is that you really haven't changed in seventy or eighty years. Your body changes, but you don't change at all. And that, of course, causes great confusion.
~ Doris Lessing


There are no laws for the novel. There never have been, nor can there ever be.
~ Doris Lessing

There is only one real sin and that is to persuade oneself that the second best is anything but second best.
~ Doris Lessing

Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.
~ Doris Lessing

This world is run by people who know how to do things. They know how things work. They are equipped. Up there, there's a layer of people who run everything. But we - we're just peasants. We don't understand what's going on, and we can't do anything.
~ Doris Lessing

Trust no friend without faults, and love a woman, but no angel.
~ Doris Lessing

We use our parents like recurring dreams, to be entered into when needed.
~ Doris Lessing

What is a hero without love for mankind.
~ Doris Lessing

What's terrible is to pretend that second-rate is first-rate. To pretend that you don't need love when you do; or you like your work when you know quite well you're capable of better.
~ Doris Lessing

What's terrible is to pretend that the second-rate is first-rate, that you don't need love when you do or that you like your work when you know quite well you're capable of better.
~ Doris Lessing

With a library you are free, not confined by temporary political climates. It is the most democratic of institutions because no one - but no one at all - can tell you what to read and when and how.
~ Doris Lessing

You can't be a Red if you're married to a civil servant.
~ Doris Lessing





VIEW MORE OF DORIS LESSING'S BOOKS.

Doris Lessing, 87, Wins 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature

Doris Lessing

Doris Lessing, the Persian-born, Rhodesian-raised and London-residing novelist whose deeply autobiographical writing has swept across continents and reflects her deep feminist engagement with the major social and political issues, won the 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature today.Announcing the award in Stockholm, the Swedish Academy described her as “that epicist of the female experience, who with skepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilization to scrutiny.” The award comes with a 10 million Swedish crown honorarium, about $1.6 million.

From the New York Times

Doris Lessing who will be 88 years old later this month, said she should have won the Nobel Prize for Literature years ago, because she has been mentioned on many occasions as being worthy of the highly esteemed literary honour since 40 years ago.Why did it take the Nobel Prize Committee decades to honour her for what they have called epicist of the female experience?

How can Lady Doris Lessing honour all the invitations to speak on her unique writings when she is already a weak old woman who would need more hands to attend to her daily needs at home and to escort her whenever she is going outdoors.

The Nobel Prize Committee has given the prize to writers who should not have won it before Doris Lessing. In fact, there are two previous winners who did not deserve the Nobel Prize for literature. And I have my doubts about the intellectual integrity of the Nobel Prize Committee responsible for awarding the most celebrated literary prize.

I thank God that Doris Lessing is still alive to receive this honour that she would have missed.

Recommended:

The Grandmothers: Four Short Novels (Paperback)

Shikasta: Re, Colonised Planet 5 (George Sherban Emissary) (Paperback)

Book Description:

A disturbing allegory, centered around a planet called Shikasta, which bears remarkable similarities to Earth. Through time, a higher planet, Canopus, has documented the progress of Shikasta and tried to distract its inhabitants from the evil influence of the planet Shammat, but the Shikastans continue to hurl themselves toward annihilation.

The next writer who deserves the Nobel Prize for Literature is Prof. Chinua Achebe, for his great contributions to the literary culture of Africa.

Other Books By Doris Lessing:

1. Canopus in Argos

Author: Doris Lessing;

2. The Golden Notebook

Author: Doris Lessing; Buy New: $10.85

3. The Grandmothers

Author: Doris Lessing; Buy New: $11.86

4. Shikasta

Author: Doris Lessing; Buy New: $19.00

5. Under My Skin

Author: Doris May Lessing;

6. Learning How to Learn

Author: Idries Shah, Doris Lessing; Buy New: $12.48

7. The Fifth Child

Author: Doris Lessing; Buy New: $10.16

8. The Sirian Experiments

Author: Doris Lessing;

9. The Diaries of Jane Somers

Author: Doris Lessing;