Mervyn Peake quotes - page 4

There's something else, Mr. Muzzlehatch.” "I'm sure there is. In fact there is everything else. (Mervyn Peake)
It's not their fault if, in the heat Of their transactions, I repeat It's not their fault if vampires meet And gurgle in their spats.
Mervyn Peake
Art should be artless, not heartless.
Mervyn Peake
Other people's faults can be fascinating. One's own are dreary.
Mervyn Peake
Let him play,” whispered Cheeta. "Let him make believe that he's alive again.
Mervyn Peake
For Peake, the weight of moral standards comes from their being part of a tradition, and any tradition lies outside the individual's potential and needs. Thus adherence to a morality impedes development of the whole self and denies real maturity.
Mervyn Peake
The host of specifically religious suggestions and images, in a story that until now has been devoid of such concern, suggests very strongly that Peake is here referring to the Christian religion as a debasing influence. Peake's treatment of Gormenghast's ritual shows that he dislikes any system of values imposed on the individual from outside, offering him nothing directly relevant for himself and encouraging him in whatever weakness he possesses. So, here, the Lamb can break down but not build; despite his worshipper's praise, he does not really understand how to keep his creatures alive. Still the Lamb glories in his power. True, in changing men he has destroyed them, denying them freedom to develop for themselves; to the Lamb, however, that is incidental to his own gratification.
Mervyn Peake
Change and growth cannot be halted, time must run on. That is the whole moral of the three books.
Mervyn Peake
You are the first person who has been able to illustrate the book adequately since Tenniel, though I still argue as I think I argued with you years ago that your Alice is a little bit too much of a gamin.
Mervyn Peake
Words were shapes and sounds to him. He saw them, as if he were listening to an unknown language, in shapes.
Mervyn Peake
His mind fell asleep. His wits fell awake. His cock trembled like a harp-string. (Mervyn Peake)
The paper is breathless Under the hand And the pencil is poised Like a warlock's wand.
Mervyn Peake
I, while the gods laugh, the world's vortex am; Maelström of passions in that hidden sea Whose waves of all-time lap the coasts of me; And in small compass the dark waters cram.
Mervyn Peake
So you thought you'd come back, my wicked one. Where have you been?” "In hell,” said Titus. "Swigging blood and munching scorpions.” "That must have been great fun, my darling.
Mervyn Peake
Life must be various, incongruous, vile and electric. Life must be ruthless and as full of love as may be found in a jaguar's fang.
Mervyn Peake
Let go of my arm, or I will scream for God.
Mervyn Peake
[Peake's books] are actual additions to life; they give, like certain rare dreams, sensations we never had before, and enlarge our conception of the range of possible experience.
Mervyn Peake
So you thought you'd come back, my wicked one. Where have you been?” "In hell,” said Titus. "Swigging blood and munching scorpions.” "That must have been great fun, my darling.” "Not so,” said Titus, "hell is overrated.
Mervyn Peake