Personal relations are the important thing for ever and ever, and not this outer life of telegrams and anger.
E. M. ForsterRead
Their quarrel was no more surprising than are most quarrels — inevitable at the time, incredible afterwards.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Quarrels often seem unavoidable in the moment, but may later appear unnecessary or foolish.
E. M. Forster's quote reflects on the nature of disagreements, suggesting that conflicts among individuals often arise naturally due to the circumstances at hand. In retrospect, however, these disputes can seem unreasonable and surprising, indicating a disconnect between the emotional intensity of the moment and the clarity that time provides.
Themes
QuarrelsRelationshipsDisagreementsUnderstandingPerspective
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about conflict resolution, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of reflection after arguments.
More from E. M. Forster
All quotes →A poem is true if it hangs together. Information points to something else. A poem points to nothing but itself.
E. M. ForsterRead
One must be fond of people and trust them if one is not to make a mess of life.
E. M. ForsterRead
Oxford is Oxford: not a mere receptacle for youth, like Cambridge. Perhaps it wants its inmates to love it rather than to love one another.
E. M. ForsterRead
The fact is we can only love what we know personally. And we cannot know much. In public affairs, in the rebuilding of civilization, something less dramatic and emotional is needed, namely tolerance.
E. M. ForsterRead
One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.
E. M. ForsterRead
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