The Remains of the Day Quotes

What is the point in worrying oneself too much about what one could or could not have done to control the course one’s life took? Surely it is enough that the likes of you and I at least try to make our small contribution count for something true and worthy. And if some of us are prepared to sacrifice much in life in order to pursue such aspirations, surely that is in itself, whatever the outcome, cause for pride and contentment.

The evening’s the best part of the day. You’ve done your day’s work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it.

Once you’ve got a man on the canvas, that ought to be the end of it. You don’t then proceed to kick him.

Indeed – why should I not admit it? – at that moment, my heart was breaking.

If you are under the impression you have already at your age perfected yourself, you will never rise to the heights you are no doubt capable of.

I wonder if it wouldn’t have been better if the Almighty had created us all as – well – as sort of plants. You know, firmly embedded in the soil. Then none of this rot about wars and boundaries would have come up in the first place.

After all, what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished?