Aldous Huxley Quotesy, born July 26, 1894, in Godalming, England, was a British novelist, essayist, and philosopher, renowned for his dystopian novel Brave New World (1932), which has sold millions and remains a literary classic. A prolific writer of nearly 50 books, including The Doors of Perception (1954) and Island (1962), Huxley explored themes of freedom, consciousness, and societal control. His work as a screenwriter, travel writer, and editor of Oxford Poetry cemented his status as a leading 20th-century intellectual, nominated nine times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. These 15 quotes—sourced from his books, essays, interviews, and public statements—capture his profound thoughts on life, society, and human potential, reflecting his visionary mind.
15 Aldous Huxley Quotes
- “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” (Time Must Have a Stop, 1944, p. 7)
- “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” (Music at Night and Other Essays, 1931, p. 17)
- “The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.” (The Olive Tree, 1936, p. 112)
- “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly.” (Island, 1962, p. 295)
- “That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons of history.” (Interview, Writers at Work, 1958)
- “An unexciting truth may be eclipsed by a thrilling lie.” (Brave New World Revisited, 1958, p. 88)
- “Most ignorance is vincible ignorance. We don’t know because we don’t want to know.” (Ends and Means, 1937, p. 312)
- “Liberties are not given, they are taken.” (Complete Essays: 1926-1929, 2000, p. 245)
- “The price of liberty, and even of common humanity, is eternal vigilance.” (Music at Night and Other Essays, 1931, p. 104)
- “To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.” (Beyond the Mexique Bay, 1934, p. 67)
- “Perhaps it’s good for one to suffer. Can an artist do anything if he’s happy?” (Antic Hay, 1923, p. 89)
- “The surest way to work up a crusade in favor of some good cause is to promise people they will have a chance of maltreating someone.” (Complete Essays: 1926-1929, 2000, p. 156)
- “What is absurd and monstrous about war is that men who have no personal quarrel should be trained to murder one another in cold blood.” (Ends and Means, 1937, p. 45)
- “All gods are homemade, and it is we who pull their strings, and so, give them the power to pull ours.” (Complete Essays: 1936-1938, 2001, p. 89)
- “People often ask me what is the most effective technique for transforming their life. It is a little embarrassing that after years and years of research and experimentation, I have to say that the best answer is—just be a little kinder.” (Quoted in Huston Smith, “Aldous Huxley—A Tribute,” The Psychedelic Review, 1964, p. 3)
Aldous Huxley’s quotes weave sharp social critique with timeless wisdom, challenging us to grow, question, and live with greater awareness. Which quote stirs your thoughts? Share it in the comments and keep Huxley’s intellectual legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
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