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38 Insightful Quotes By Alan Paton That Might Whet You

Famous As: Writer, Autobiographer, Screenwriter
Born On: January 11, 1903
Died On: April 12, 1988
Born In: Pietermaritzburg
Died At Age: 85
Alan Paton was an eminent South African author and anti-apartheid activist. He initially worked as a teacher and also worked as Principal of Diepkloof Reformatory for young black Africans. Later, he volunteered to serve during World War II but was turned down. He then took a trip on his own expenses after the war to tour correctional facilities across the globe. It was then in Norway where he started writing his first seminal novel titled, ‘Cry, The Beloved Country’. This was followed by numerous books making Patron both famous and rich. Here we have compiled some famous words, thoughts, opinions and viewpoints that the prolific writer shared through his writings, books, novels, manuscripts, work and life. Go through the quotes and sayings by Alan Paton that will surely awaken you.
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Sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey. But, sorrow is at least an arriving.

Sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey. But, sorrow is at least an arriving.

Alan Paton
The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that things are not mended again.

The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that things are not mended again.

Alan Paton
But there is only one thing that has power completely, and this is love. Because when a man loves, he seeks no power, and therefore he has power.

But there is only one thing that has power completely, and this is love. Because when a man loves, he seeks no power, and therefore he has power.

Alan Paton
I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find that we are turned to hating.

I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find that we are turned to hating.

Alan Paton
There is a hard law. When an injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.

There is a hard law. When an injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.

Alan Paton
Pain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret. But I have learned that kindness and love can pay for pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret. But I have learned that kindness and love can pay for pain and suffering.

Alan Paton
The Judge does not make the law. It is people that make the law. Therefore if a law is unjust, and if the Judge judges according to the law, that is justice, even if it is not just.

The Judge does not make the law. It is people that make the law. Therefore if a law is unjust, and if the Judge judges according to the law, that is justice, even if it is not just.

Alan Paton
Happy the eyes that can close

Happy the eyes that can close

Alan Paton
The truth is, our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions.

The truth is, our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions.

Alan Paton
For it is the dawn that has come, as it has come for a thousand centuries, never failing.

For it is the dawn that has come, as it has come for a thousand centuries, never failing.

Alan Paton
There is only one way in which one can endure man's inhumanity to man and that is to try, in one's own life, to exemplify man's humanity to man.

There is only one way in which one can endure man's inhumanity to man and that is to try, in one's own life, to exemplify man's humanity to man.

Alan Paton
Because life slips away, and because I need for the rest of my journey a star that will not play false to me, a compass that will not lie.

Because life slips away, and because I need for the rest of my journey a star that will not play false to me, a compass that will not lie.

Alan Paton
For who can stop the heart from breaking?

For who can stop the heart from breaking?

Alan Paton
It is not permissible for us to go on destroying the family life when we know that we are destroying it.

It is not permissible for us to go on destroying the family life when we know that we are destroying it.

Alan Paton
And were your back as broad as heaven, and your purse full of gold, and did your compassion reach from here to hell itself, there is nothing you can do.

And were your back as broad as heaven, and your purse full of gold, and did your compassion reach from here to hell itself, there is nothing you can do.

Alan Paton
I have always found that actively loving
saves one from a morbid preoccupation
with the shortcomings of society.

I have always found that actively loving saves one from a morbid preoccupation with the shortcomings of society.

Alan Paton
It was not his habit to dwell on what might have been but what could never be.

It was not his habit to dwell on what might have been but what could never be.

Alan Paton
We do not work for men. We work for the land and the people. We do not even work for money.

We do not work for men. We work for the land and the people. We do not even work for money.

Alan Paton
But when that dawn will come, of our emancipation, from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret.

But when that dawn will come, of our emancipation, from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret.

Alan Paton
Indeed, mother, you are always our helper.

Indeed, mother, you are always our helper." "For what else are we born?

Alan Paton
One thing is about to be finished, but here is something that is only begun. And while I live it will continue

One thing is about to be finished, but here is something that is only begun. And while I live it will continue

Alan Paton
What broke in a man when he could bring himself to kill another?

What broke in a man when he could bring himself to kill another?

Alan Paton
Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools.

Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools.

Alan Paton
In a land of fear... incorruptibility is like a lamp set upon a stand, giving light to all in the house.

In a land of fear... incorruptibility is like a lamp set upon a stand, giving light to all in the house.

Alan Paton
There's a hard law, mejuffrou, that when a deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.

There's a hard law, mejuffrou, that when a deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.

Alan Paton
But to punish and not to restore, that is the greatest of all offences.

But to punish and not to restore, that is the greatest of all offences.

Alan Paton
Therefore let us sell our labour for what it is worth. And if an industry cannot buy our labour, let that industry die. But let us not sell our labour cheap to keep an industry alive.

Therefore let us sell our labour for what it is worth. And if an industry cannot buy our labour, let that industry die. But let us not sell our labour cheap to keep an industry alive.

Alan Paton
The judge does not make the law. It is the people that make the law. It is the duty of a judge to do justice, but it is only the people that can be just

The judge does not make the law. It is the people that make the law. It is the duty of a judge to do justice, but it is only the people that can be just

Alan Paton
Meneer, said the captain, if man takes unto himself God's right to punish, then he must also take upon himself God's promise to restore.

Meneer, said the captain, if man takes unto himself God's right to punish, then he must also take upon himself God's promise to restore.

Alan Paton
Something in the humble voice must have touched Msimangu, for he said, I am not kind. I am a selfish and sinful man, but God put his hands on me, that is all.

Something in the humble voice must have touched Msimangu, for he said, I am not kind. I am a selfish and sinful man, but God put his hands on me, that is all.

Alan Paton