Every island to a child is a treasure island.
P. D. JamesRead
It was reasonable to struggle, to suffer, perhaps even to die, for a more just, a more compassionate society, but not in a world with no future where, all to soon, the very words "justice," "compassion," "society," "struggle," "evil," would be unheard echoes on an empty air.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote underscores the importance of fighting for justice in a society that has a future, emphasizing that suffering is worthwhile only if it leads to positive change.
P. D. James reflects on the moral imperative to strive for a just and compassionate society, suggesting that while struggle and sacrifice are often necessary, they lose their value in a world that lacks hope for a better future. The quote serves as a warning against despair, illustrating that the concepts of justice and compassion are meaningless in a void, where they are no longer recognized or valued.
Themes
JusticeCompassionSocietyFutureStruggleEvilHope
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for social change, this quote can motivate individuals to take action for a better future.
More from P. D. James
All quotes →If from infancy you treat children as gods, they are liable in adulthood to act as devils.
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I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism.
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What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give.
P. D. JamesRead
Open your mind to new experiences, particularly to the study of other people. Nothing that happens to a writer – however happy, however tragic – is ever wasted.
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It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.
P. D. JamesRead
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