Quotes from The Storyteller

Mario Vargas Llosa ·  256 pages

Rating: (3.2K votes)


“But what do I have? The things I'm told and the things I tell, that's all. And as far as I know, that never yet made anyone fly.”
― Mario Vargas Llosa, quote from The Storyteller


“The sort of decision arrived at by saints and madmen is not revealed to others. It is forged little by little, in the folds of the spirit, tangential to reason, shielded from indiscreet eyes, not seeking the approval of others—who would never grant it—until it is at last put into practice. I imagine that in the process—the conceiving of a project and its ripening into action—the saint, the visionary, or the madman isolates himself more and more, walling himself up in solitude, safe from the intrusion of others.”
― Mario Vargas Llosa, quote from The Storyteller


“It was a question I asked myself each time one of these studies or field observations came to my attention, and I saw, once again, that no mention was made, even in passing, of those wandering tellers of tales, who seemed to me to be the most exquisite and precious exemplars of that people, numbering a mere handful, and who, in any event, had forged that curious emotional link between the Machiguengas and my own vocation (not to say, quite simply, my own life).”
― Mario Vargas Llosa, quote from The Storyteller


“Sebab "budaya" tidaklah sinonim dengan sains, sastra, atau bidang spesialisasi lainnya, namun sebuah cara memandang hal ihwal, sebuah pendekatan yang mampu menangkap apapun yang berkaitan dengan manusia.”
― Mario Vargas Llosa, quote from The Storyteller


“Kalau sesuatu bermakna begitu besar buatmu, kau menyelubunginya dengan misteri," tercetus padaku untuk berkata.”
― Mario Vargas Llosa, quote from The Storyteller



“Dan camkan ini, pada hari di mana kalian berhenti berjalan, kalian akan lenyap seutuhnya.”
― Mario Vargas Llosa, quote from The Storyteller


About the author

Mario Vargas Llosa
Born place: in Arequipa, Peru
Born date March 28, 1936
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Popular quotes

“So what’s next?” I say, wanting more.
Teague looks up the river, and then back at me.
“I want to show you something,” he tells me.
“What do you want to show me?” I say, surprising even myself at how hopelessly flirty I sound.
“You’ll see,” he says. “But you have to promise me something.”
I tilt my head and twinkle my eyes. “You sure are making me promise a lot!”
Teague grins. “No, honestly, promise you won’t show anyone. It’s like--”
He pauses.
“Top secret?”
“Right.” He smiles. “Top secret.”
Do you want to seal this little agreement with a kiss?
No-o-o-o-o-o.

I think it through. I think it, and nod. Yes. And I follow him. I follow him along the rocks beside the river, until he stops in his tracks and turns to me with his finger over his lips.
“Shhh.” He motions and nods up into the canopy of trees we are standing under.
I look up.
“What?” I whisper.
Teague ducks behind me, right behind me--so close I can feel his breath on my neck.
I am shivering, and it’s not because I’m cold.”
― Megan Shull, quote from Amazing Grace


“Guarding knowledge is not a good way to understand. Understanding means to throw away your knowledge.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh, quote from Being Peace


“Well,' said Hodgkins, 'perhaps he really is interested in everything, only he doesn't overdo it. For ourselves there is always one single interest. You want to become. I want to do. My nephew wants to have. But the Joxter just lives.'

'Simply lives,' I said. 'Anybody can do that.'

'Mphm,' Hodgkins said.”
― Tove Jansson, quote from Moominpappa's Memoirs


“God Himself is the rule and mode of virtue. Our faith is measured by divine truth, our hope by the greatness of His power and faithful affection, our charity by His goodness. His truth, power and goodness outreach any measure of reason. We can certainly never believe, trust or love God more than, or even as much as, we should. Extravagance is impossible. Here is no virtuous moderation, no measurable mean; the more extreme our activity, the better we are.”
― Thomas Aquinas, quote from Summa Theologica, 5 Vols


“I love you, more, I think, than I know, but our kind of love isn't a sword. It's a light. Not a fire. A small light, just bright enough to read love letters by and keep the animals at a growling distance. In time it will go out. All lights go out. So do all fires, if it's any comfort. Love me, and look at me, and remember me, as I'll remember you.”
― Peter S. Beagle, quote from A Fine and Private Place


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