Virginia Woolf was an English writer who has been considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Her books had non-linear narratives and used stream of consciousness as a literary device. Her books also explored artistic theory, literary history, women’s writing, and the politics of power.
Virginia Woolf was born on 25 January into an affluent household in London. She was taught literature from a young age. Her best works include Mrs Dalloway , To the Lighthouse and Orlando. The essay, A Room of One’s Own was one of the most influential feminist writings of the 20th century. She was plagued by mental illness throughout her life and died by suicide at the age of 59
1 I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in. -Virginia Woolf
Is it worse to be locked out of our houses or to be locked in? The latter is probably worse for most people. Being locked in our houses induces claustrophobia and takes away our freedom.
2 I feel so intensely the delights of shutting oneself up in a little world of one’s own, with pictures and music and everything beautiful. -Virginia Woolf
Sometimes, what we need the most is some time for ourselves with nothing but music, art and our thoughts to give us company. It brings things into perspective and helps us introspect when we need it the most.
3 Yes, I deserve a spring, I owe nobody nothing. -Virginia Woolf
You deserve all the happiness that you want. You don’t have to wait for anybody else to give you permission to enjoy your life. You don’t owe anybody anything so get out there and follow your heart, chase your dreams and do all the things that you love.
4 Anyone who’s worth anything reads just what he likes, as the mood takes him, and with extravagant enthusiasm. -Virginia Woolf
Reading is one of the best exercises for the mind. It gives you a new perspective on life and puts you in a world of magic, fantasy and everything beautiful. One should read what they love and be immersed in the world that the story presents them with.
5 No sooner have you feasted on beauty with your eyes than your mind tells you that beauty is vain and beauty passes -Virginia Woolf
Beauty is subjective and fleeting. Nothing ever lasts forever, not even beauty. It fades with time and loses its charm.
6 If you are losing your leisure, look out, It may be that you are losing your soul. -Virginia Woolf
We need some time to refresh. If all you do is work all day and have no time to rejuvenate, you’ll soon become a grumpy and dull person who seems dead from inside.
7 You cannot find peace by avoiding life. -Virginia Woolf
You cannot go long by avoiding your calling in life. If you want peace, you need to accept what life has to offer and make do with what you have.
8 The only advice that one person can give another about reading is to take no advice, to use your own reason, to come to your own conclusions. -Virginia Woolf
Reading is something that you have to do on your own. You’ve to come to your own conclusions by using your own reasoning. You’ve to get hooked by the words and be immersed in the world of the book. No one else can guide you through it.
9 Lock up your libraries if you like, but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind. -Virginia Woolf
No matter how much one tries, no government, nation or ruler can chain up the freedom of the mind. Even if you lock up librairies, censor books or lock up people, liberty will always prevail.
10 If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.” -Virginia Woolf
Honesty has to start with you. If you lie to others and hide your true self, how can you expect others to be honest with you?
11 A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction. -Virginia Woolf
This is a quote from one of Virginia Woolf’s most influential books, A Room of One’s Own. She talks about the challenges that the women of her time had to face to write fiction and make a living. They often had to do it in secrecy and use pseudonyms to be successful. While things have changed a lot since then, we still have far to go.
12 A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living. -Virginia Woolf
Change is the essence of life. Only those who are ready to change their ways and adjust with time can live a fulfilling life.
13 No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” -Virginia Woolf
You don’t have to rush for anyone. The only person you need to be is yourself. Stay true to your heart and do the stuff that you want to.
14 To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves. -Virginia Woolf
People need to enjoy their liberty by barring themselves from encroaching upon the freedom of others. If your freedom takes away someone else’s, it’s not real freedom.
15 Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends. -Virginia Woolf
People have different ways to cope with difficult times. Some prefer religion, others poetry and art, but for some, it is the company of their friends that work the most.
15 Most Powerful Virginia Woolf Quotes That Will Make You Think
1. I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in. -Virginia Woolf
2. I feel so intensely the delights of shutting oneself up in a little world of one’s own, with pictures and music and everything beautiful. -Virginia Woolf
3. Yes, I deserve a spring, I owe nobody nothing. -Virginia Woolf
4. Anyone who’s worth anything reads just what he likes, as the mood takes him, and with extravagant enthusiasm. -Virginia Woolf
5. No sooner have you feasted on beauty with your eyes than your mind tells you that beauty is vain and beauty passes -Virginia Woolf
6. If you are losing your leisure, look out, It may be that you are losing your soul. -Virginia Woolf
7. You cannot find peace by avoiding life. -Virginia Woolf
8. The only advice that one person can give another about reading is to take no advice, to use your own reason, to come to your own conclusions. -Virginia Woolf
9. Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind. -Virginia Woolf
10. If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.” -Virginia Woolf
11. A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction. -Virginia Woolf
12. A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living. -Virginia Woolf
13. No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” -Virginia Woolf
14. To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves. -Virginia Woolf
15. Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends. -Virginia Woolf