"You need to let the little things that bore you suddenly thrill you."
–– Andy Warhol (1928-1987), American artist
Source: Gayle MacDonald. 'How to talk about nothing.' The Globe and Mail. Saturday February 13, 2021, p. 5.
via: Book of Commonplace 2020-present, p. 86.
"A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules."
–– Anthony Trollope (1815-1882), English novelist
via Book of Commonplace 2017-2020, p.138
"It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible."
–– Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), English author
via Book of Commonplace 2017-2020, p. 137
""I think what we do is intuitive, but it's also essentially about observation." He was looking down at his cup as if he was reading the tea leaves. "If your work is about observation, then it seems only natural –– to me at least –– that you never stop observing. You observe obsessively... and minutely. You train yourself to look inside, outside, peripherally. You study art and music, the way people dance, walk, lie –– and tell the truth. You record your dreams and you're willing to learn from them.""
–– Scott Thornley, Canadian novelist and creative director
Source: Scott Thornley. Erasing Memory. Toronto: House of Anansi Press (Random House), 2011 (2018), p. 155. Character Detective MacNeice to colleague Fiza Aziz. Erasing Memory was Scott Thornley's debut mystery novel.
Via Book of Commonplace 2017-2020, p. 131-2
"You surely understand one thing, the need to do what every instinct of your body tells you is ordained for you. Haven't you lived your life like that? Don't we all at some time or another make a decision which we know is absolutely right, the assurance that some enterprise, some change, is imperative? And even if it fails, to resist it will be a greater failure. I suppose some people would see that as a call from God."
–– P.D. James (1920-2014), British novelist
Source: P.D. James. The Private Patient. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf Canada (Random House Canada), 2008; p. 78-9. Character Candace Westhall to George Chandler-Powell.
via Book of Commonplace 2017-2020, p. 128
"A [person] can stand anything, except a succession of ordinary days."
–– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), German author, scientist, and statesman
via Book of Commonplace 2017-2020, p. 125
"What stands in the way becomes the way."
–– Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD), Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher
via Book of Commonplace 2017-2020, p. 122
