The Quotes canon
Sourced and curated.
Every quote has been curated by hand and carefully authenticated.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Flannery O'Connor1 quote
The novel is an art form and when you use it for anything other than art, you pervert it... If you do manage to use it successfully for social, religious, or other purposes, it is because you make it art first. — Flannery O'Connor · 1956Gerald Brenan1 quote
You can't get at the truth by writing history; only the novelist can do that. — Gerald Brenan · 1986Henry James1 quote
The only reason for the existence of a novel is that it does attempt to represent life. — Henry James · 1884Thomas Hardy1 quote
A novel is an impression, not an argument. — Thomas Hardy · 1891