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James Salter

James Salter Quotes

Novelist

James Salter, born on June 10, 1925, was an influential American novelist known for his concise and profound writing style. His works, which cover themes such as love, war, and human nature, are considered classics of American literature. Salter's notable works include 'Last Summer' and 'Alaska'.

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Famous James Salter Quotes

“If you write enough, you begin to learn to do things. But in a way, you do start from zero each time.”

Ifs Way Writing Enough Zero

Author:James Salter

“I like men who have known the best and the worst, whose life has been anything but a smooth trip. Storms have battered them, they have lain, sometimes for months on end, becalmed. There is a residue even if they fail. It has not been all tinkling; there have been grand chords.”

Ifs Men Has Beens Ends Sometimes Known Failing Worst Months Storm Smooth Chords Battered

Author:James Salter

“I like to write about certain things that if they are not written about are not going to exist.”

Ifs Writing Certain Written

Author:James Salter

“Your parents are the parents you know best. Your brother and sister, if you have them, are the brother and sister you know best. They may not be the ones you like the best. They may not be the most interesting, but they are the closest and probably the clearest to you.”

Ifs Knows May Parent Interesting Brother Closest Brothers And Sisters Most Interesting Your Brother

Author:James Salter

“But knowledge does not protect one. Life is contemptuous of knowledge; it forces it to sit in the anterooms, to wait outside. Passion, energy, lies: these are what life admires. Still, anything can be endured if all humanity is watching. The martyrs prove it. We live in the attention of others. We turn to it as flowers to the sun.”

Ifs Doe Stills Life Is Lying Humanity Turns Passion Energy Force Waiting Attention Sun Flower Protect Prove Admire Martyr Prove It Contemptuous

Book:Light Years

Source: Light Years

“Life passes into pages if it passes into anything.”

Book:Burning the Days

Source: Burning the Days

“The myriad past, it enters us and disappears. Except that within it, somewhere, like diamonds, exist the fragments that refuse to be consumed. Sifting through, if one dares, and collecting them, one discovers the true design.”

Ifs Past Design Dare Refuse Disappear Diamond Fragments Consumed Collecting Sifting

Book:A Sport and a Pastime

Source: A Sport and a Pastime

“I'm a frotteur, someone who likes to rub words in his hand, to turn them around and feel them, to wonder if that really is the best word possible.”

Ifs Feels Hands Turns Wonder Likes

Author:James Salter

About the Author

Born: June 10, 1925
Died: June 19, 2015
Known for: Novelist
Quotes: 99

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Writing Book People Ifs Knows Thinking Believe Certain Men Past Real Stills Seems Trying Turns Want Way Children Dream Feelings

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People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Light YearsRelated source material

A Sport and a PastimeRelated source material

Memorable Days: The Selected Letters of James Salter and Robert PhelpsRelated source material

The Art of FictionRelated source material

The HuntersRelated source material

All That IsRelated source material

Burning the DaysRelated source material

Last NightRelated source material

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