Ivo Andrić Quotes

One shouldn't be afraid of the humans. Well, I am not afraid of the humans, but of what is inhuman in them.

~ Ivo Andrić

If people would know how little brain is ruling the world, they would die of fear.

~ Ivo Andrić

The desire for sudden change and the thought of their realization by force often appears among men like a disease and gains ground mainly in young brains; only these brains do not think as they should, do not amount to anything in the end and the heads that think thus do not remain long on their shoulders. For it is not human desires that dispose and administer the things of this world. Desire is like a wind, it sifts the dust from one place to another, sometimes darkens the whole horizon, but in the end calms down and leaves the old and eternal picture of the world. Lasting deeds are realized on this earth only by God’s will, and man is only His humble and blind tool.

~ Ivo Andrić

Whenever a government feels the need of promising peace and prosperity to its citizens by means of a proclamation, it is time to be on guard and expect the opposite.

~ Ivo Andrić

...every woman has some reason to weep and weeping is sweetest when it is for another's sorrow.

~ Ivo Andrić

I don't plan anything any more. I just live my life.

~ Ivo Andrić

Every human generation has its own illusions with regard to civilization; some believe they are taking part in its upsurge, others that they are witnesses of its extinction. In fact, it always both flames and smolders and is extinguished, according to the place and the angle of view.

~ Ivo Andrić

Lands of great discoveries are also lands of great injustices.

~ Ivo Andrić

Between the fear that something would happen and the hope that still it wouldn't, there is much more space than one thinks. On that narrow, hard, bare and dark space a lot of us spend their lives.

~ Ivo Andrić

Sadness is also a kind of defence.

~ Ivo Andrić