The best Dubliners quotes

I had never spoken to her, except for a few casual words, and yet her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood.

She respected her husband in the same way as she respected the General Post Office, as something large, secure and fixed.

- A Mother

But my body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires.

- Araby

One by one they were all becoming shades. Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age.

- The Dead

I wanted real adventure to happen to myself. But real adventures, I reflected, do not happen to people who remain at home: they must be sought abroad.

- An Encounter

Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger.

Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age.

Love between man and woman is impossible because there must not be sexual intercourse, and friendship between man and woman is impossible because there must be sexual intercourse.

A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.

Though their life was modest, they believed in eating well.

He rushed beyond the barrier and called to her to follow. He was shouted at to go on but he still called to her. She set her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal. Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition.