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Harry Mulisch

37quotes

Harry Mulisch: A Dutch Literary Giant


Full Name and Common Aliases


Harry Victor Manuel Carel Mulisch was a Dutch writer, poet, playwright, and essayist. He is commonly referred to as one of the most important figures in post-war Dutch literature.

Birth and Death Dates


Mulisch was born on January 29, 1927, in Haarlem, Netherlands, and passed away on June 30, 2010, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the age of 83.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Mulisch was a Dutch national and a renowned writer who worked as a novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and historian. He is best known for his novels, plays, and essays that explored themes of history, philosophy, politics, and human nature.

Early Life and Background


Harry Mulisch was born to a Jewish family in Haarlem, Netherlands. His father, Carel Mulisch, was an engineer who converted to Catholicism from Judaism, while his mother, Paula Mulisch (née Van Eyl), was a pianist of Russian descent. During World War II, Mulisch's family moved to the southern province of Limburg, where he spent most of his childhood. This period had a profound impact on his life and writing.

Major Accomplishments


Mulisch is widely regarded as one of the greatest Dutch writers of the 20th century. He wrote over 40 novels, numerous plays, poems, essays, and memoirs, which have been translated into more than 30 languages. Some of his notable works include:

_De Aanslag_ (The Assault), a novel that explores the consequences of violence and the human condition.
 _Máximo_, a novel that delves into the world of politics and power struggles.
* _Ceremony of Innocence_, a collection of essays that reflect on history, philosophy, and morality.

Notable Works or Actions


Mulisch's writing often dealt with the complexities of human nature, history, and the consequences of actions. He was known for his philosophical and introspective approach to storytelling, which earned him critical acclaim both in the Netherlands and internationally. Mulisch was also a committed intellectual and public figure who participated in various cultural and social events throughout his life.

Impact and Legacy


Harry Mulisch's literary legacy is immense, and his work continues to be widely read and studied today. His unique blend of philosophical insight, historical awareness, and storytelling ability has made him an inspiration to generations of writers and thinkers. As a public intellectual, Mulisch played a significant role in shaping Dutch cultural and intellectual life, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Harry Mulisch is widely quoted or remembered for his profound insights into human nature, history, and philosophy. His writing often grappled with complex themes such as violence, morality, and the human condition, making him a source of inspiration and guidance for many readers.

Quotes by Harry Mulisch

Iemand die van iemand anders houdt, zegt altijd dat dat komt doordat die ander zo mooi is, op een of andere manier, van buiten of van binnen, of allebei, – terwijl andere mensen daar vaak niets van zien, en meestal is het ook niet zo. Maar wie altijd mooi is, is degene die liefheeft, want hij heeft lief en wordt daardoor bestraald door dat licht.
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Iemand die van iemand anders houdt, zegt altijd dat dat komt doordat die ander zo mooi is, op een of andere manier, van buiten of van binnen, of allebei, – terwijl andere mensen daar vaak niets van zien, en meestal is het ook niet zo. Maar wie altijd mooi is, is degene die liefheeft, want hij heeft lief en wordt daardoor bestraald door dat licht.
HM
Die vraag is te goed om met een antwoord te verknoeien.
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Die vraag is te goed om met een antwoord te verknoeien.
HM
Alles zal vergeten worden en ten slotte verdwijnen en dan nooit gebeurd zijn. En het is deze gedachte, die hem plotseling de verdorven kracht geef om te doen wat hem te doen staat.
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Alles zal vergeten worden en ten slotte verdwijnen en dan nooit gebeurd zijn. En het is deze gedachte, die hem plotseling de verdorven kracht geef om te doen wat hem te doen staat.
HM
De vraag, wat dat was tussen hen, zouden zij pas later bespreken – toen het er niet meer was, toen al die dagen in hun herinnering ineengevloeid waren tot een eeuwig-onvergetelijke dag. Ook de grieken, wist hij, die de grondslag hadden gelegd van de westerse cultuur, bezaten geen woord voor cultuur. De woorden kwamen pas als de zaak was verdwenen.
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De vraag, wat dat was tussen hen, zouden zij pas later bespreken – toen het er niet meer was, toen al die dagen in hun herinnering ineengevloeid waren tot een eeuwig-onvergetelijke dag. Ook de grieken, wist hij, die de grondslag hadden gelegd van de westerse cultuur, bezaten geen woord voor cultuur. De woorden kwamen pas als de zaak was verdwenen.
HM
Boundaries have to be continuously sealed off, but it’s a hopeless job, for everything touches everything else in this world. A beginning never disappears, not even with an ending.
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Boundaries have to be continuously sealed off, but it’s a hopeless job, for everything touches everything else in this world. A beginning never disappears, not even with an ending.
HM
In het ene landschap was ik het vorige vergeten, zoals je op straat onafgebroken gezichten ziet, die je onafgebroken vergeet.
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In het ene landschap was ik het vorige vergeten, zoals je op straat onafgebroken gezichten ziet, die je onafgebroken vergeet.
HM
All human beings were of course unique, and they only discovered that when someone else fell in love with them or when no one ever fell in love with them.
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All human beings were of course unique, and they only discovered that when someone else fell in love with them or when no one ever fell in love with them.
HM
I never understood how anyone could feel small compared with the universe. After all, man knows how overwhelmingly large it is, and a few others things besides, and that means he is not small. The fact that man has discovered all this precisely proves his greatness.
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I never understood how anyone could feel small compared with the universe. After all, man knows how overwhelmingly large it is, and a few others things besides, and that means he is not small. The fact that man has discovered all this precisely proves his greatness.
HM
If you find life absurd, shouldn’t you find death precisely meaningful?
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If you find life absurd, shouldn’t you find death precisely meaningful?
HM
But nothing exists in the future; it is empty; one might die at any minute.
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But nothing exists in the future; it is empty; one might die at any minute.
HM
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