Multatuli Quotes

“I would like to meet myself sometime to see how I would look to myself. But I'd have to be in an extremely good state of mind on such a day, because I don't like unpleasantness.”

— Multatuli

“Maybe nothing is completely true, and not even that.”

— Multatuli

One must live with all, e'en if life be hell: Crime makes shame, not monetary stricture

— Multatuli

“I love you so much that I'm glad I never met you.”

— Multatuli

“The entire morality of the world could be summarized in the words, do as others do.”

— Multatuli

“Vanaf de maan gezien zijn we allen even groot.”

— Multatuli

Since I have the obligation to take care of the needs of my family, I have decided to use a talent which, I believe, has been given to me. I am a poet ... Phew! You know, reader, what I and all sensible people think about that.

— Multatuli

Perhaps nothing is entirely true, not even this.

— Multatuli

Two left-handed gloves don't make a pair. Two half-truths don't make a truth.

— Multatuli

There is only one evil, one crime, one sin: lack of heart.

— Multatuli

Seen from the moon we are all the same size.

— Multatuli

“Endeavour-with most diligent labour, O aspiring artist!-to master content. The form will rise to meet you.”

— Multatuli

“There is nothing more poetic than the truth. He who does not see poetry in it will always be a poor versifier outside of it.”

— Multatuli

Immortality without eternity is a rope with only one end.

— Multatuli

“Principles are things which one calls upon to avoid something unpleasant.”

— Multatuli

“It's unfair of a circle to accuse the angle of being sharp.”

— Multatuli