Arthur Ransome quotes

Arthur Ransome was an English author and journalist, best known for his “Swallows and Amazons” children’s book series. His adventurous stories have inspired generations of readers with a love of nature and exploration. He also worked as a foreign correspondent, notably reporting on the Russian Revolution. Here are 11 of his quotes:

When a thing's done, it's done, and if it's not done right, do it differently next time.

Arthur Ransome

What's hit's history: what's missed's mystery.

Arthur Ransome

Only, the beastly Arctic won't freeze.

Arthur Ransome

Houses, are but badly built boats so firmly aground that you cannot think of moving them. They are definitely inferior things, belonging to the vegetable not the animal world, rooted and stationary, incapable of gay transition. I admit, doubtfully, as exceptions, snail-shells and caravans. The desire to build a house is the tired wish of a man content thenceforward with a single anchorage. The desire to build a boat is the desire of youth, unwilling yet to accept the idea of a final resting-place.

Arthur Ransome

Softly, at first, as if it hardly meant it, the snow began to fall.

Arthur Ransome

They found, like many explorers before them, that somehow, in their absence, they had got into trouble at home.

Arthur Ransome

A pigeon a day keeps the natives away.

Arthur Ransome

She's got a rum job, but she knows how to do it, and to have a job and know how to do it is one of the best things in this life. And if only she stops hankering after Cambridge...

Arthur Ransome

BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS IF NOT DUFFERS WONT DROWN.

Arthur Ransome