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Ernest Gaines Quotes

Author

Ernest Gaines is an American author known for his profound insights into racial and social issues. His works often set in the black community of Louisiana, explore themes of racial relations, poverty, and education.

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All Writing Men People Dying Ifs Believe Knows Thinking Novel Said Trying Wanted Jazz Know How African American Bigs Body Church Dies Differences

Famous Ernest Gaines Quotes

“If I were to give one piece of advice, I would say to never accept anything that you hear or see at face value. As a general rule of thumb, then the more you question, the better.”

Ifs Giving Faces Values Accepting Pieces Advice Thumbs One Piece Face Value

Author:Ernest Gaines

“I still don't even know if the sheriff will let me see him. And suppose he did; what then? What do I say to him? Do I know what a man is? Do I know how a man is supposed to die? I'm still trying to find out how a man should live. Am I supposed to tell someone how to die who has never lived?”

Ifs Knows Men Should Trying Stills Dies Know How Dying Let Me Sheriffs

Book:A Lesson Before Dying

Source: A Lesson Before Dying

“Now, about that mulatto teacher and me. There was no love there for each other. There was not even respect. We were enemies if anything. He hated me, and I knew it, and he knew I knew it. I didn't like him, but I needed him, needed him to tell me something that none of the others could or would.”

Ifs Enemy Teacher Dying Needed Hated No Love Mulattoes

Book:A Lesson Before Dying

Source: A Lesson Before Dying

“We looked at each other, and I could see in those big reddened eyes that he was not going to scream. He was full of anger - and who could blame him? - but he was no fool. He needed me, and he wanted me here, if only to insult me.”

Ifs Bigs Eye Wanted Dying Fool Needed Blame Insult Scream

Book:A Lesson Before Dying: A Novel

Source: A Lesson Before Dying: A Novel

“Anytime a child is born, the old people look in his face and ask him if he's the One.”

People Ifs Looks Children Faces Asks Born Old People

Book:The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

Source: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

“I knew I wanted to be a writer and I knew if I had a wife and family, I would neglect something, and I was afraid it wouldn't be the writing.”

Ifs Writing Wanted Wife Neglect

Author:Ernest Gaines

About the Author

Born: January 15, 1933
Known for: Author
Quotes: 52

Books & Sources

A Lesson Before DyingRelated source material

A Lesson Before Dying: A NovelRelated source material

Conversations with Ernest GainesRelated source material

Bloodline: Five StoriesRelated source material

Mozart and LeadbellyRelated source material

The Autobiography of Miss Jane PittmanRelated source material

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