WIST Quotations

Priestley, J. B. -- “The Root is Fear,” Outcries and Asides (1974)

Dave — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:56:09 +0000

Almost all propaganda is designed to create fear. Heads of government and their officials know that a frightened people is easier to govern, will forfeit rights it would otherwise defend, is less likely to demand a better life, and will agree to millions and millions being spent on “Defense.”

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) English author, dramatist [John Boyne Priestley]
“The Root is Fear,” Outcries and Asides (1974)

Priestley, J. B. -- (Attributed)

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

Like its politicians and its wars, society has the teenagers it deserves.

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) English author, dramatist [John Boyne Priestley]
(Attributed)

Priestley, J. B. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 12 May 2004 19:25:53 +0000

We cannot get grace from gadgets. In the Bakelite house of the future, the dishes may not break, but the heart can. Even a man with ten shower baths may find life flat, stale and unprofitable.

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) English author, dramatist [John Boyne Priestley]
(Attributed)

Priestley, J. B. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:41:10 +0000

When I was young there was no respect for the young, and now that I am old there is no respect for the old. I missed out coming and going.

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) English author, dramatist [John Boyne Priestley]
(Attributed)

Priestley, J. B. -- Delight (1949)

Dave — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 15:39:45 +0000

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) English author, dramatist [John Boyne Priestley]
Delight (1949)

Priestley, J. B. -- International Herald Tribune (3 Jan 1978)

Dave — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:27:35 +0000

Most writers enjoy two periods of happiness – when a glorious idea comes to mind and, secondly, when a last page has been written and you haven’t had time to know how much better it ought to be.

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) English author, dramatist [John Boyne Priestley]
International Herald Tribune (3 Jan 1978)

Priestley, J. B. -- Saturn over the Water, ch. 2 (1961)

Dave — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:16:45 +0000

I can’t help feeling wary when I hear anything said about the masses. First you take their faces from ’em by calling ’em the masses and then you accuse ’em of not having any faces.

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) English author, dramatist [John Boyne Priestley]
Saturn over the Water, ch. 2 (1961)