Ray Bradbury's best quotes
The top 3 according to 211 votes from people: There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches. · If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none. · If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you, and you'll never learn.. (Updated Jun 23, 2021.)
From 'more than one way to burn a book' to 'all I want to do is prevent it': Ray Bradbury's most quoted lines, from Fahrenheit 451, Zen in the Art of Writing and his interviews, with their source.
Top 12
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1
There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.
Fahrenheit 451, coda (1979).
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2
If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none.
Fahrenheit 451 (1953), Captain Beatty.
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3
If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you, and you'll never learn.
Fahrenheit 451 (1953), Faber.
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4
People ask me to predict the future, when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it.
Beyond 1984: The People Machines (1979).
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5
Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.
Interview with The Seattle Times, 12 March 1993.
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6
You've got to be able to look at your thoughts on paper and discover what a fool you were.
Salon.com, 29 August 2001.
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7
The way to teach in this world is to pretend you're not teaching.
Playboy interview, 1996.
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8
We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.
Zen in the Art of Writing (1990).
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9
Since I've never grown up myself, all my books are automatically for children.
Playboy interview, 1996.
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10
We should be back on the moon right now.
Playboy interview, 1996.
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11
In science fiction, we dream.
Playboy interview, 1996.
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12
I had decided to be a magician well before I decided to be a writer.
Playboy interview, 1996.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (1)
'More than one way to burn a book' hits harder every year. Zen in the Art of Writing is the best book on writing I own, no contest.