WIST Quotations

Aldiss, Brian -- “The Plain Man’s Guide to Eternity,” The Guardian (1971-08-06)

Dave — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:08:57 +0000

When childhood dies, its corpses are called adults and they enter society, one of the politer names of hell. That is why we dread children, even if we love them. They show us the state of our decay.

Brian Aldiss (1925-2017) English writer, editor
“The Plain Man’s Guide to Eternity,” The Guardian (1971-08-06)
(Source)

Often cited (unconfirmed) to the later Manchester Guardian (1977-12-31).

Aldiss, Brian -- Bury My Heart at W.H. Smith’s, “Apéritif” (1990)

Dave — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:50:14 +0000

Writers must fortify themselves with pride and egotism as best they can. The process is analogous to using sandbags and loose timbers to protect a house against flood. Writers are vulnerable creatures like anyone else. For what do they have in reality? Not sandbags, not timbers. Just a flimsy reputation and a name.

Brian Aldiss (1925-2017) English writer, editor
Bury My Heart at W.H. Smith’s, “Apéritif” (1990)

Aldiss, Brian -- The Dark Light Years, ch. 5 (1964)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Civilization is the distance man has placed between himself and his excreta.

Brian Aldiss (1925-2017) English writer, editor
The Dark Light Years, ch. 5 (1964)