34 Notable T. E. Lawrence Quotes From The Fabled 'Lawrence Of Arabia'

Georgia Stone
Dec 12, 2023 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Jan 27, 2021
Edited by Isobel Murphy
Desert in the Saudi Arabia
Age: 0-99
Read time: 6.8 Min

Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence, also known as T.E. Shaw or 'Lawrence Of Arabia', was a well-known British archaeologist, writer, diplomat and intelligence officer best known for his contributions to World War I.

T.E. Lawrence has inspired the creation of the renowned film 'Lawrence Of Arabia', which delves into a young British officer's experiences in the Ottoman Empire in the midst of World War I. T.E. Lawrence was vital in the fight for Arab independence and was labelled a war hero for his efforts during the Arab revolt and other Middle Eastern affairs.

T. E. Lawrence's valiant efforts were not only for the British army but also for the British government, as he also worked for Winston Churchill for a brief period of time. His name has been permanently etched in the history books and his endeavors will be given their due importance. T.E. Lawrence learned various languages during his time in the Middle East, including Latin, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, and German. After his time in the army, T.E. Lawrence published a book of his experiences and encounters in the army in an autobiographical novel titled 'Seven Pillars Of Wisdom' which has been translated into numerous languages. With over three movies, seventy biographies, and countless literary publications released about him, it's safe to say that T.E. Lawrence gained critical acclaim after his war efforts. He also worked as an archaeologist and war photographer during his lifetime. Individuals who are intrigued by T.E. Lawrence and his career are going to love these T.E. Lawrence quotes we've compiled. These quotes are primarily from 'Lawrence Of Arabia' and 'Seven Pillars Of Wisdom', enjoy!

If you would like to read other articles with fascinating quotes, you can check out these Allen Ginsberg quotes and Aldo Leopold quotes.

Best Quotes From 'Lawrence of Arabia'

The Empty Quarter desert

The US Library of Congress deemed 'Lawrence Of Arabia' "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," and included it in the list of films that are preserved in the National Film Registry. Here are some of the best 'Lawrence Of Arabia' quotes for you!

1. "You're the most extraordinary man I've ever met. You will be a household word when you will have to go to The War Museum to hear about me."

- General Allenby, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

2. "Prince Faisal: You are an Englishman. Are you not loyal to England?

T.E. Lawrence: To England, and to other things."

- 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

3. "Big things have small beginnings, sir."

- Mr. Dryden, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

4. "Sherif Ali: What is your name?

T.E. Lawrence: My name is for my friends. None of my friends is a murderer!"

- 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

5. "Lawrence, only two kinds of creature get fun in the desert: Bedouins and Gods, and you're neither. Take it from me. For ordinary men, it's a burning fiery furnace."

- Mr. Dryden, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

6. "With Major Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me, it is merely good manners. You may judge which motive is the more reliable."

- Prince Faisal, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

7. "Now my father is old. And I, I long for the vanished gardens of Cordova. However, before the gardens must come fighting."

- Prince Faisal, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

8. "Auda: In ten days. You will cross Sinai?

Lawrence: Why not? Moses did.

Auda: And you will take the children?

Lawrence: Moses did.

Auda: Moses was a prophet and beloved of God."

- 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

9. "If we've been telling lies, you've been telling half-lies. A man who tells lies like me, merely hides the truth. But a man who tells half-lies has forgotten where he put it."

- Mr. Dryden.

10. "Young men make wars, and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men. Courage and hope for the future. Then old men make the peace. And the vices of peace are the vices of old men. Mistrust and caution."

- Prince Faisal, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

Famous T.E. Lawrence Quotes from ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’

This list includes some of the best quotes about T.E. Lawrence from the movie 'Lawrence Of Arabia'. Most of the quotes are dialogues from the movie.

11. "The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

12. "Cross my heart and hope to die, it's all perfectly true."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

13. "Jackson Bentley: What is it, Major Lawrence that attracts you personally to the desert?

T.E. Lawrence: It's clean."

- 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

14. "I cannot fiddle, but I can make a great state from a little city'... Themistocles, sir, a Greek philosopher."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

15. "I'm not hurt at all. Didn't you know? They can only kill me with a golden bullet."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

16. "Nothing is written."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

17. "The best of them won't come for money; they'll come for me."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

18. "We can cross the whole of Arabia while Johnny Turk is still turning around."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

19. "Do you think I'm just anybody, Ali? Do you?"

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

20. "My manner, sir; it looks insubordinate but it isn't, really."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

21. "Club Secretary: I say, Lawrence. You are a clown.

T.E. Lawrence: Ah, well, we can't all be lion tamers."

- 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

22. "Sherif Ali: I shall stay here and learn politics.

T.E. Lawrence: That's a very low occupation.

Sherif Ali: I had not thought of it when I met you."

- 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

23. "I've told you - I just want my ration of common humanity."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

24. "I killed two people... One was a boy... The other was a man... I had to execute him with my pistol, and there was something about it that I didn't like."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

25. "There may be honor among thieves, but there's none in politicians."

- T.E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.

Famous T. E. Lawrence Quotes From 'Seven Pillars Of Wisdom' And More

Here are some famous T. E Lawrence book quotes and T.E. Lawrence quotes from his other publications such as 'Seven Pillars Of Wisdom' (illustrated by Eric Kennington), 'Revolt In The Desert', 'Cairo' and more. This list is perfect for those who are hunting for 'Seven Pillars Of Wisdom' quotes or T.E. Lawrence publication quotes, read on!

26. "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible."

- T.E. Lawrence.

27. "Men have looked upon the desert as barren land, the free holding of whoever chose; but in fact each hill and valley in it had a man who was its acknowledged owner and would quickly assert the right of his family or clan to it, against aggression."

- T.E. Lawrence.

28. "To me an unnecessary action, or shot, or casualty, was not only waste but sin."

- T.E. Lawrence.

29. "Dream your dreams with open eyes and make them come true."

- T.E. Lawrence.

30. "Half a calamity is better than a whole one."

- T.E. Lawrence.

31. "He was old and wise, which meant tired and disappointed..."

- T.E. Lawrence.

32. "Immorality, I know. Immortality, I cannot judge."

- T.E. Lawrence.

33. "By day the hot sun fermented us; and we were dizzied by the beating wind. At night we were stained by dew, and shamed into pettiness by the innumerable silences of stars."

- T.E. Lawrence.

34. "For years we lived anyhow with one another in the naked desert, under the indifferent heaven. By day the hot sun fermented us; and we were dizzied by the beating wind. At night we were stained by dew, and shamed into pettiness by the innumerable silences of stars."

- T.E. Lawrence.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for TE Lawrence quotes from 'Lawrence Of Arabia', 'Seven Pillars Of Wisdom' and more, then why not take a look at these '80s movies quotes or altruism quotes too?

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Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

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Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

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