Iain Pears - An Instance of the Fingerpost (1997)

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The simple fact that something has not been done, is no proof that it cannot be.

Iain Pears
In my small way, I preserved and catalogued, and dipped into the vast ocean of learning that awaited, knowing all the time that the life of one man was insufficient for even the smallest part of the wonders that lay within. It is cruel that we are granted the desire to know, but denied the time to do so properly. We all die frustrated; it is the greatest lesson we have to learn.

Iain Pears
For men are held above their fellows by the gossamer of reputation, which is so soft and fragile a breath can blow it away.

Iain Pears
The devil himself can become beauty, so we are told, to corrupt mankind." (Marco)

Iain Pears
Shame, I do believe, is the most powerful emotion known to man; most discoveries and journeys of importance have been accomplished because of the ignominy that would be the result if the attempt was abandoned.

Iain Pears
For what are we but our past? If that is lost, we become nothing.

Iain Pears
God forbid that I should ever suffer the shame of publishing a book for money, or of having one of my family so demean themselves. How can one tell who might read it? No worthy book has ever been written for gain, I think;

Iain Pears
And a more foolish notion can scarcely be imagined, it being obvious that the reader is only informed of what the writer wishes him to know, and is thus seduced into believing almost anything.

Iain Pears