WIST Quotations

Lawrence, T. E. -- Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph, ch. 33 (1926)

Dave — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:59:00 +0000

While opinions were arguable, convictions needed shooting to be cured.

T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935) British officer, diplomat, linguist, memoirist, writer [Thomas Edward Lawrence, a/k/a T. E. Shaw, "Lawrence of Arabia"]
Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph, ch. 33 (1926)

Lawrence, T. E. -- The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, “Introductory Chapter” (1935)

Dave — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:36:48 +0000

All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did.

T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935) British officer, diplomat, linguist, memoirist, writer [Thomas Edward Lawrence, a/k/a T. E. Shaw, "Lawrence of Arabia"]
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, “Introductory Chapter” (1935)
(Source)

Oxford Edition (1922):

This, therefore, is a faded dream of the time when I went down into the dust and noise of the Eastern market-place, and with my brain and muscles, with sweat and constant thinking, made others see my visions coming true. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, and make it possible. This I did.

This introductory chapter varies between different editions, and is even missing in some. The history of different versions and editions of The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is complex.

Lawrence, T. E. -- Letter to Eric Kennington (6 Aug 1934)

Dave — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:13:55 +0000

There is an ideal standard somewhere and only that matters: and I cannot find it. Hence this aimlessness.

T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935) British officer, diplomat, linguist, memoirist, writer [Thomas Edward Lawrence, a/k/a T. E. Shaw, "Lawrence of Arabia"]
Letter to Eric Kennington (6 Aug 1934)