I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is; I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat. Rebecca West
It is queer how it is always one’s virtues and not one’s vices that precipitate one into disaster. Rebecca West
There is no such thing as conversation. It is an illusion. There are intersecting monologues, that is all. Rebecca West
Journalism is the ability to meet the challenge of filling space. Rebecca West
It’s the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion. Rebecca West
In England and America a beard usually means that its owner would rather be considered venerable than virile; on the continent of Europe it often means that its owner makes a special claim to virility. Rebecca West
Just how difficult it is to write biography can be reckoned by anybody who sits down and considers just how many people know the real truth about his or her love affairs. Rebecca West
Motherhood is the strangest thing, it can be like being one’s own Trojan horse. Rebecca West
If the whole human race lay in one grave, the epitaph on its headstone might well be: ‘It seemed a good idea at the time.’ Rebecca West
Any authentic work of art must start an argument between the artist and his audience. Rebecca West
Did St Francis preach to the birds? Whatever for? If he really liked birds he would have done better to preach to the cats. Rebecca West
I cannot think that espionage can be recommended as a technique for building an impressive civilisation. It’s a lout’s game. Rebecca West
Hatred of domestic work is a natural and admirable result of civilization. Rebecca West
Great music is in a sense serene; it is certain of the values it asserts. Rebecca West