A Suitable Boy

by Vikram Seth

The obtuseness of intelligent men, thought Savita with a smile, is half of what makes them lovable.

‘Many years ago you told me that until you were forty you were very concerned about what people thought of you. Then you decided to be concerned about what you thought of other people instead.’

When these cannot torment a man, when suffering and joy are equal for him and he has courage, he is fit for immortality. Nothing of nonbeing comes to be, nor does being cease to exist; the boundary between these two is seen by men who see reality.

It may be human nature, but I do not want to be at the receiving end of human nature.

I’ve come close to telling him what I think of him. But I’m sure he knows. People can always tell if you like or dislike them.’

The secret of life is to accept. Accept happiness, accept sorrow; accept success, accept failure; accept fame, accept disgrace; accept doubt, even accept the impression of certainty. Now, when are you leaving?’

However disturbed people’s minds may be, inklings, clues, suggestions, overheard fragments of conversation must work themselves into the mind and lodge themselves into a pattern indicating the truth.

‘Politicians, you know, prefer to appoint mediocrities to important posts not merely because they themselves will look better in comparison or because they are afraid of competition, but also because, you see, a person appointed on merit feels that it is owed to him, while a mediocrity is only too conscious that it is not.’

Rise, traveller, the sky is bright. Why do you sleep? It is not night. . . .

there are always people willing to believe anything, however implausible, merely in order to be contrary.

Cold words will break a fine heart as winter’s first frost does a crystal vase. A false friend is like the shadow on a sun-dial which appears in very fine weather but vanishes at the approach of a cloud.

Life is merely froth and bubble. Two things stand like stone: Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in our own.