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59 Great Quotes By Alan Bennett For The Scenarist In You

Famous As: Actor, Screenwriter, Playwright, Diarist, Writer
Born On: 1934
Born In: Armley
Age: 90 Years
Alan Bennett is a popular British screenwriter, author, playwright and actor. Born in Leeds, he pursued history from Oxford University and enacted with Oxford Revue. For several years he taught and researched medieval history in the university. He shot to fame with a satirical revue titled ‘Beyond The Fringe’ for which he collaborated with Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller. After this he gave up his career as an academician and took up full-time writing. In 1968, he produced his first stage play titled, ‘Forty Years On’. Some of his popular works include ‘Talking Heads’, ‘The Madness of George III’, his readings of ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ and ‘Alice’s Adventures In wonderland’ amongst others. Following is a corpus of famous thoughts, words, lines, sayings and opinions by the multi-faceted artist which have been excerpted from his works, life, writings, monologue series, researches, books, plays and readings. Presenting the famous quotes and thoughts by Alan Bennett.
What she was finding also was how one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do.

What she was finding also was how one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do.

Alan Bennett
A book is a device to ignite the imagination.

A book is a device to ignite the imagination.

Alan Bennett
Books are not about passing time. They're about other lives. Other worlds. Far from wanting time to pass, one just wishes one had more of it. If one wanted to pass the time one could go to New Zealand.

Books are not about passing time. They're about other lives. Other worlds. Far from wanting time to pass, one just wishes one had more of it. If one wanted to pass the time one could go to New Zealand.

Alan Bennett
You don't put your life into your books, you find it there.

You don't put your life into your books, you find it there.

Alan Bennett
We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community, but people wouldn't obey the rules.

We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community, but people wouldn't obey the rules.

Alan Bennett
How do I define history? It's just one fucking thing after another

How do I define history? It's just one fucking thing after another

Alan Bennett
The days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do.

The days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do.

Alan Bennett
Above literature?' said the Queen. 'Who is above literature? You might as well say one was above humanity.

Above literature?' said the Queen. 'Who is above literature? You might as well say one was above humanity.

Alan Bennett
Sometimes there is no next time, no time-outs, no second chances. Sometimes it’s now or never.

Sometimes there is no next time, no time-outs, no second chances. Sometimes it’s now or never.

Alan Bennett
History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. What is history? History is women following behind with the bucket.

History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. What is history? History is women following behind with the bucket.

Alan Bennett
One of the hardest things for boys to learn is that a teacher is human. One of the hardest things for a teacher to learn is not to try and tell them.

One of the hardest things for boys to learn is that a teacher is human. One of the hardest things for a teacher to learn is not to try and tell them.

Alan Bennett
Definition of a classic: a book everyone is assumed to have read and often thinks they have.

Definition of a classic: a book everyone is assumed to have read and often thinks they have.

Alan Bennett
Clichés can be quite fun. That's how they got to be clichés.

Clichés can be quite fun. That's how they got to be clichés.

Alan Bennett
I'm not

I'm not "happy" but I'm not unhappy about it.

Alan Bennett
...she felt about reading what some writers felt about writing: that it was impossible not to do it and that at this late stage of her life she had been chosen to read as others were chosen to write.

...she felt about reading what some writers felt about writing: that it was impossible not to do it and that at this late stage of her life she had been chosen to read as others were chosen to write.

Alan Bennett
History is just one fucking thing after another.

History is just one fucking thing after another.

Alan Bennett
Cloisters, ancient libraries ... I was confusing learning with the smell of cold stone.

Cloisters, ancient libraries ... I was confusing learning with the smell of cold stone.

Alan Bennett
Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting.

Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting.

Alan Bennett
It's subjunctive history. You know, the subjunctive? The mood used when something may or may not have happened. When it is imagined.

It's subjunctive history. You know, the subjunctive? The mood used when something may or may not have happened. When it is imagined.

Alan Bennett
One reads for pleasure...it is not a public duty.

One reads for pleasure...it is not a public duty.

Alan Bennett
... Once I start a book I finish it. That was the way one was brought up. Books, bread and butter, mashed potato - one finishes what's on one's plate. That's always been my philosophy.

... Once I start a book I finish it. That was the way one was brought up. Books, bread and butter, mashed potato - one finishes what's on one's plate. That's always been my philosophy.

Alan Bennett
I don't always understand poetry!'

'You don't always understand it? Timms, I never understand it. But learn it now, know it now and you will understand it...whenever.

I don't always understand poetry!' 'You don't always understand it? Timms, I never understand it. But learn it now, know it now and you will understand it...whenever.

Alan Bennett
To read is to withdraw.To make oneself unavailable. One would feel easier about it if the pursuit inself were less...selfish.

To read is to withdraw.To make oneself unavailable. One would feel easier about it if the pursuit inself were less...selfish.

Alan Bennett
It was the kind of library
he had only read about in books.

It was the kind of library he had only read about in books.

Alan Bennett
All the effort went into getting there and then I had nothing left. I thought I'd got somewhere, then I found I had to go on.

All the effort went into getting there and then I had nothing left. I thought I'd got somewhere, then I found I had to go on.

Alan Bennett
Life is rather like a tin of sardines - we're all of us looking for the key.

Life is rather like a tin of sardines - we're all of us looking for the key.

Alan Bennett
God doesn't do notes, either. Did Jesus Christ say,

God doesn't do notes, either. Did Jesus Christ say, "Can I be excused the Crucifixion?" No!

Alan Bennett
One recipe for happiness is to have to sense of entitlement.' To this she added a star and noted at the bottom of the page: 'This is not a lesson I have ever been in a position to learn.

One recipe for happiness is to have to sense of entitlement.' To this she added a star and noted at the bottom of the page: 'This is not a lesson I have ever been in a position to learn.

Alan Bennett
The transmission of knowledge is in itself an erotic act.

The transmission of knowledge is in itself an erotic act.

Alan Bennett
I think of literature,' she wrote, 'as a vast country to the far borders of which I am journeying but will never reach. And I have started to late. I will never catch up.

I think of literature,' she wrote, 'as a vast country to the far borders of which I am journeying but will never reach. And I have started to late. I will never catch up.

Alan Bennett