We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality.
Iris Murdoch
Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self.
Iris Murdoch
Writing is like getting married. One should never commit oneself until one is amazed at one's luck.
Iris Murdoch
Possibly, more people kill themselves and others out of hurt vanity than out of envy, jealousy, malice or desire for revenge.
Iris Murdoch
In philosophy if you aren't moving at a snail's pace you aren't moving at all.
Iris Murdoch
Bereavement is a darkness impenetrable to the imagination of the unbereaved.
Iris Murdoch
It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.