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John Dos Passos Quotes

Novelist

John Dos Passos was an American novelist born on January 14, 1896, and died on September 28, 1970. His works are known for their unique narrative style and profound insights into the realities of American society.

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Famous John Dos Passos Quotes

“The business of a novelist is, in my opinion, to create characters first and foremost, and then to set them in the snarl of the human currents of his time, so that there results an accurate permanent record of a phase of history.”

Firsts Humans Character Results Opinion Records Currents Permanent Novelists Accurate Phases

Author:John Dos Passos

“The Gospel of the army is cunning, as of all other human activities. The wisdom of the snake under the meekness of the sheep is what wins out. The first Commandment is--never let them get anything on you-- The second: Graft--get privileges others haven't got--worm yourself into confidence The Third--seem neat and prosperous--as if you had money in the bank”

Source: Travel books and other writings, 1916-1941

“Marxism has not only failed to promote human freedom, it has failed to produce food.”

Humans Produce Marxism Human Freedom

Author:John Dos Passos

“Why, lies are like a sticky juice overspreading the world, a living, growing flypaper to catch and gum the wings of every human soul. . . And the little helpless buzzings of honest, liberal, kindly people, aren't they like the thin little noise flies make when they're caught?”

People World Humans Littles Soul Lying Growing Honest Wings Caught Noise Helpless Juice Human Soul Gum Sticky

Book:One Man's Initiation--1917

Source: One Man's Initiation--1917

About the Author

Born: January 14, 1896
Died: September 28, 1970
Known for: Novelist
Quotes: 105

Books & Sources

John Dos Passos: the major nonfictional proseRelated source material

The Fourteenth Chronicle: Letters and Diaries of John Dos PassosRelated source material

Manhattan TransferRelated source material

Three Plays: The Garbage Man, Airways, Inc., Fortune HeightsRelated source material

Occasions and protestsRelated source material

The 42nd ParallelRelated source material

1919: Volume Two of the U.S.A. TrilogyRelated source material

Manhattan Transfer: A NovelRelated source material

The Big Money: Volume Three of the U.S.A. TrilogyRelated source material

The Ground We Stand on: The History of a Political CreedRelated source material

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