A man that is born falls into a dream like a man who falls into the sea. If he tries to climb out into the air as inexperienced people endeavor to do, he drowns.

I can't tell if a straw ever saved a drowning man, but I know that a mere glance is enough to make despair pause. For in truth we who are creatures of impulse are creatures of despair.

Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it.

I have wrestled with death. It is the most unexciting contest you can imagine. It takes place in an impalpable grayness, with nothing underfoot, with nothing around, without spectators, without clamor, without glory, without the great desire of victory, without the great fear of defeat.

Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men.

We live, as we dream -- alone.

An artist is a man of action, whether he creates a personality, invents an expedient, or finds the issue of a complicated situation.

This is the difference between H.G. Wells and me.  Wells does not love humanity but thinks he can improve it; I love humanity but I know it is unimprovable.

The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.

All of the above quotes belong to Joseph Conrad.