Eduard Douwes Dekker:
(2 March 1820 – 19 February 1887).
Better known by his pen name Multatuli (from Latin multa tulī, “I have suffered much”), was a Dutch writer best known for his satirical novel Max Havelaar (1860), which denounced the abuses of colonialism in the Dutch East Indies (today’s Indonesia). He is considered one of the Netherlands’ greatest authors.
Finding the truth, that is, approaching the truth, would not be so difficult if we were less cowardly. In many cases we dare not know what is true.
Lost illusions are found truths.
There is only one evil, one crime, one sin: lack of heart.
Seen from the moon we are all the same.
There is nothing more poetic than the truth. He who does not see poetry in it will always be a poor versifier outside of it.
Perhaps nothing is entirely true, not even this.
It is unfair of a circle to accuse the corner of being sharp.
Two left gloves don’t make a pair of gloves. Two half-truths don’t make a truth.
Principles are things which one calls upon to avoid something unpleasant.
One must live all, e’en if life be hell: Crime makes shame, not monetary stricture.
Endeavour-with most diligent labour, O aspiring artist! – to master content. The form will rise to meet you.
Immortality without eternity is a rope with only one end.
The pearl diver is not afraid of the mud.
Constitutional freedom is a good thing, but it is not worth giving it to a people who restrict themselves where it is not needed. What does it matter if the bird’s cage is opened, if the poor animal was stupid enough to pull out its flight feathers, or if it has no desire to fly?
