Centre for Romanian Studies

  Dictionary of Romanian Quotations: Letter “J”

 

  James II, King

“To revolt is one thing, to approve is something else. When James II had fallen, there were certain Anglican bishops who followed into exile the pro-Catholic, or perhaps the Catholic King, only because he was the legitimate Sovereign and no matter what happened to him, he was irreplaceable”.

(Nicolae Steinhardt, (1912-1989), Philosopher, Orthodox Monk, “Jurnalul Fericirii”)

 

Jewish Writers Union of Romania:

“This morning I made the stupid mistake of going to Dorian’s, where I had been invited to a ‘writers conference’. I helplessly witnessed the constitution of “the Union of Jewish Writers” with Benador, Calugaru and Dorian at its head. Unknown figures, non-entities, old ambitions and troubles, all drawing fresh life from impudence and ostentation.

I won’t forgive my cowardice at not having shouted out all they deserved to hear. But that’s the last time I let myself be caught in such snares.”

(Mihail Sebastian (Iosif Hechter), (1907-1945), Playwright, Journalist, “Journal, 1935-1944”, Heinemann, London, 2001)

 

Jonathan Swift’s Satires:

  “Publishing Swift’s satires in 1985 (in Communist Romania, t.n.), I myself fought a lot with the censor in order to include “A Modest proposal” concerning eating Irish children, which had become ‘subversive’ here on account of meat shortage in Romania. Faced with the alternative of not publishing the book at all, or doing it without the famous text, I gave it up. The supreme level of censorship was a department of the (Communist) Party Central Committee.”

(Denisa Comànescu (b. 1954, Buzau, Romania, ibid., 219-221)

 

  Judgement:

“The day of judgement had come. In order to find the greatest crime the cross was nailed to Christ.”

(Paul Celan (1920-1970), Poet, Exile: “Backlight”, “Collected Prose”, Carcanet, 1986)

 

  Judgemental:

“(My western interlocutors), so impeccable, irreproachable, immaculate (…) who would have never fallen into temptation, neither under threats victims to their weaknesses, nor experienced half a century of tyranny (…) they would not be fit to judge me.”

(Petru Dumitriu (1924-2002), writer, exile: «La Moisson»)

 

  Judges:

“ Judges are prodigal because their life is not at stake”.

(Madeleine Cancicov (1904-1985), lawyer, writer, political prisoner, exile: “Le cachot des marionettes”)