Untidy human undertakings

“The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy” - from chapter one of Over the River by John Galsworthy

I'll tell you what was untidy: my reaction to this, the very last of the nine volume Forsyte Saga. If it's possible to fall in love with books, I certainly fell in love with these. So my untidy crying was truly ugly as I read the closing pages of this novel. I never wanted it to end.

John Galsworthy, you are still beautiful.

The Old Order Changeth

Over the River (John Galsworthy)

Uncle Adrian on the future:

"'The old order changeth' – yes, but we ought to be able to preserve beauty and dignity, and the sense of service, and manners – things that have come very slowly, and can be made to vanish very fast if we aren't set on preserving them somehow."

Clare on unrequited love

Over the River (John Galsworthy)

"Even when they are not in love, women are grateful for being loved."

Sadly very, very true.